Why the Houthi advance towards Yemen’s Marib, Taiz matters | Houthis News
Yemen Government Forces Launch Airstrikes as Houthi Advances Continue
Yemen’s government forces have initiated airstrikes against Iran-backed Houthi rebels in a bid to counteract recent territorial gains made by the group. Over the past week, the Houthis have intensified their assaults on positions held by the Yemeni government.
The conflict has shifted focus to Marib, the last significant stronghold of anti-Houthi forces in northern Yemen and a critical hub for the country’s oil and gas production. Analysts warn that should the Houthis gain control of Marib, it could dramatically alter the dynamics of the ongoing conflict in their favor.
In the western Taiz region, fighting persists as government forces, with support from Saudi Arabia, attempt to regain territory lost to Houthi advances last week. Recent footage released by the Yemeni army purportedly shows airstrikes targeting Houthi positions and vehicles in this area.
The civilian population continues to suffer amid the violence. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has reported that over 85,000 people have been displaced since September, with more than 2,000 seeking refuge in Djibouti.
Marib holds strategic significance not only as a military bastion but also for its energy resources. The region contains Yemen’s largest oil and gas fields, making control of Marib vital for both sides. Saddam al-Huraibi, a Yemeni political commentator, noted that the Houthis have aimed for dominance over Marib’s resources for more than a decade. Loss of this region would leave the Yemeni government at a severe disadvantage and could influence future negotiations.
Experts emphasize the high stakes involved. Adam Baron, a fellow at the New America think tank, described a potential Houthi victory in Marib as a “watershed moment” for the region. He highlighted that government forces view this battle as critical to their survival, with a loss representing a devastating blow to their authority.
Geographically, Marib is pivotal as it lies along the key transport routes linking northern Yemen to the southern governorates, including Shabwa, which borders the Gulf of Aden.
The implications of a Houthi victory extend beyond military strategy; it could serve as a powerful propaganda tool, reshaping public perception of the group’s position in the conflict. Nabil Hetari, a Yemeni writer and human rights activist, noted that winning Marib could bolster Houthi claims of military success.
Moreover, Marib has served as a refuge for internally displaced individuals since the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, in 2014. According to the IOM, nearly 2.8 million people in Yemen are currently displaced, with more than half residing in Marib.
He added, “All the parties involved in the battle are focused on Marib as a potential decider in the nature of their exit from this war.”
Taiz: A Strategic Control Point in the Conflict
Taiz serves as a key geographic and political bridge between Houthi-controlled areas in the north and government-held regions in the south, including access to the Red Sea coast. Control over this governorate would enhance the ability to maneuver weapons and supplies critical for both sides.
Historically, Taiz has been a center of resistance against the Houthis since their takeover of Sanaa in 2014. A significant Houthi victory in Taiz would not only hold military value but carry symbolic weight due to its role in the ongoing conflict.
The western coast of Taiz provides access to vital maritime routes, including Mocha and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a crucial passage for global shipping. Prior to the resurgence of hostilities, about 12 percent of global trade transited through this narrow waterway.
The Houthis’ recent incursions along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, including their capture of Mayyun Island, heighten concerns over maritime security. Fuad Mussed, a Yemeni analyst, stated that the Houthis aim to exert influence over this strategic waterway as part of a broader Iranian strategy in the region.
This developing situation poses significant risks to Saudi Arabia, which relies on Red Sea shipping routes for oil exports, minimizing reliance on the heavily contested Strait of Hormuz.
