Houthis, Yemeni forces engaged in fierce battles: Why each front matters | US-Israel war on Iran News
Intensified Fighting in Yemen Leaves Nearly 200 Dead in Recent Clashes
Sanaa, Yemen – The internationally recognized Yemeni government and Houthi forces have ramped up their military engagements, utilizing warplanes, missiles, and drones amid intensified fighting across multiple fronts in the northern, western, and central regions of Yemen.
In the past two weeks alone, at least 194 individuals have been killed and around 880 more injured due to clashes in areas including Taiz, the western coastal region, al-Jawf, Marib, and Dhalea, according to various aid agencies.
Iran-backed Houthi rebels, also known as Ansar Allah, have increased their offensive in the coastal district of al-Makha, seeking to secure a strategic foothold in the Red Sea, a critical maritime shipping lane. Meanwhile, government forces are working to expand their territorial control in Taiz and strengthen their hold on Marib, an oil-rich area in northern Yemen.
Fighting has notably intensified in al-Jawf, which borders Saudi Arabia, and in Dhalea, a key corridor connecting Houthi-controlled northern regions with southern areas governed by the recognized government.
Military analysts suggest that the outcomes of battles on these strategically important fronts could significantly impact the overall conflict dynamics.
Battles for Taiz and the Western Coast
Yazeed al-Jeddawy, research manager at the Sanaa Center for Strategic Studies, highlighted the importance of the hills and mountainous regions of Taiz and the western coast. He noted the Houthis have persistently aimed to advance in this area to establish control, cut supply lines between al-Makha and Taiz, and prevent government forces from linking operations with the Taiz Military Axis.
The immediate conflict revolves around the strategic heights and roads connecting Taiz to al-Makha, which lies approximately 60 kilometers from the Bab al-Mandeb strait. This locale has been targeted by Houthi missile and drone strikes over the past month, resulting in extensive damage to port facilities and casualties among civilians.
As the Houthis seek to tighten their grip on al-Makha, their advances could further enhance their influence around the critical Bab al-Mandeb strait, boosting their leverage over international shipping routes, analysts say.
Fuad Mussed, a Yemeni political analyst, emphasized the significance of the western coast and Taiz front due to their proximity to Bab al-Mandeb, a vital conduit between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Fighting in Marib and al-Jawf
In recent weeks, pro-government forces have aggressively targeted Houthi-held positions in Marib and al-Jawf, eliciting strong countermeasures from Houthi forces. Political commentator Saddam al-Huraibi characterized the battle for Marib as crucial for both sides, given its status as a government stronghold.
A Houthi takeover of Marib would threaten the government’s presence in the north and significantly shift the balance of power, while loss by the Houthis would notably undermine their authority and access to essential oil and gas resources.
Adjacent to Marib, al-Jawf has become another battleground where government forces have concentrated their efforts, with potential territorial gains there enabling further advances northward.
Conflict in the Dhalea Region
Fighting has also surged in the Dhalea front, a strategic link between Houthi-held territories and southern provinces, persisting even during a lull that began in April 2022 following a UN-brokered ceasefire.
Advances by Houthi forces in Dhalea could open new routes to southern areas, while setbacks could embolden government forces to move towards Ibb, which is controlled by the Houthis.
Khaled Ghorab, a pro-Houthi general, stated that the Houthi forces are prepared for various scenarios, having developed military strategies to counter sustained multi-front attacks.
As fighting escalates, the conflict remains influenced by broader international dynamics. Analysts note that the Houthis’ activities in Yemen and the Red Sea serve as leverage for Iran, while some factions within the Yemeni government see the increased pressure on the Houthis as an opportunity to weaken their rivals.
The current escalation reflects both immediate military objectives and broader geopolitical contexts that continue to shape the conflict in Yemen.
