Saudi-Backed Forces Retake Key Areas Around Bab el-Mandeb Strait From Houthis in Most Dangerous Countries
Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces have recaptured several key areas around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait from Houthi rebels, including the strategic town of Dhubab, as part of a major offensive dubbed 'Yemen Dawn' or 'Dawn of Yemen' in most dangerous countries. [5]
Yemeni Government Offensive Advances Against Houthis in Most Dangerous Countries
Yemeni army claims 100 Houthis killed and 5 drones downed in southwestern Taiz province while retaking Jabal al-Manzara, al-Asharif and Dhiban. [1] Government forces also retook the port city of Mocha and towns of Bab, Hadeid and Dhubab north of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait under Saudi air cover from 100 fighter jets. [3] The Yemeni officials said forces allied with the internationally recognized government retook the crucial town of Dhubab just north of the strait, a vital shipping route that connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. [5] They also captured the towns of Bab and Hadeid, said the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to reporters. [5] Witnesses said they saw government tanks and forces entering the towns. [5] The government push came as part of a major offensive launched early Monday under air cover by a Saudi military coalition. [5] Yemeni army says 100 Houthis killed, 5 drones downed in southwestern Taiz province. [1] Government forces say they also retook Jabal al-Manzara, al-Asharif and Dhiban in southern Taiz as part of ‘Dawn of Yemen’ operation. [1] The Saudi-led coalition spokesperson, Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki, said 100 fighter jets were providing support to government forces. [5] He said the coalition secured “air protection” of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and destroyed hundreds of Houthi targets. [5] Yemen's internationally recognised and Saudi-backed government claims it has recaptured the strategic port city of Mocha amid a major counteroffensive against the Houthis near the Bab al-Mandeb strait. [3]
Houthi Claims of Attacks on Saudi Targets
Houthis claim attacks using ballistic and cruise missiles and drones on Saudi targets including Riyadh airport, Rabigh oil refinery, Abha airport and sites in Khamis Mushait, Najran and Jizan. [5] Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, the Houthis' military spokesperson, claimed in a pre-recorded statement that the rebels used ballistic and cruise missiles and drones in attacks targeting King Khalid International Airport in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, and an oil refinery in the Red Sea city of Rabigh. [5] Also attacked were Abha airport, military facilities in Khamis Mushait and other “critical sites” in the cities of Najran and Jizan, he claimed. [5]
International Military Support for Saudi Arabia
Turkey and Pakistan agreed to deploy military forces to Saudi Arabia under the Mecca pact following Houthi attacks, with the three countries condemning strikes on Saudi cities and facilities. [3] Also on Monday, the foreign and defense ministers of Pakistan and Turkey agreed with Saudi Arabia to deploy military forces to the kingdom under their defense pact. [5] A joint statement released by Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry after an emergency meeting in Riyadh did not specify troop numbers, identify which countries would contribute forces or give a deployment timetable. [5] The three countries condemned what they described as attempted attacks on Mecca and Medina, as well as continuing attacks on Saudi cities and civilian and economic facilities. [5] US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters that it was expected that the Saudi-backed government would hit back at the rebels to reclaim territory. [5] The US has provided support to Saudi Arabia in its ongoing campaign against the Houthis, according to a regional official and a US official who spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak to reporters. [5]
Israeli Raid in Southern Syria
Israeli forces launched a new raid in Syria’s Quneitra, with two tanks and soldiers moving into Tal al-Duriyat near Al-Muallaqa village. [2] Israeli forces launch new raid in Syria’s Quneitra. [2] 2 Israeli tanks, soldiers moved into Tal al-Duriyat near Al-Muallaqa village in southern Quneitra countryside, Syrian Alikhbariah TV says. [2]
Russian Offensive Continues in Eastern Ukraine
In Ukraine, Russian forces conducted 184 combat clashes in the past day, including 23 attacks on the Pokrovsk front and 18 on the Kostiantynivka front. [4] A total of 184 combat clashes have occurred on the battlefield over the past day, with the Russians conducting 23 attacks on the Pokrovsk front and 18 on the Kostiantynivka front. [4] A total of 184 combat clashes were recorded over the past day. [4] On the Pokrovsk front, the Russians conducted 23 attacks. [4] On the Kostiantynivka front, 18 Russian attacks were recorded. [4]
Humanitarian Impact in Yemen
The escalation between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis has revived Yemen’s civil war after a four-year ceasefire. [5] The latest bout of violence has killed at least 959 people and wounded over 4,200 others, according to the World Health Organization. [5] The flare-up forced about 174,097 people to flee their homes inside Yemen, according to the UN migration agency. [5] More than 3,000 others fled across the waters into Djibouti, the agency reported. [5] Last week, Yemen’s Health Ministry — part of the internationally recognized government — warned about the conflict’s impact on health facilities and medical staff across Taiz province. [5] The ministry said in a statement on Friday that health facilities in coastal, western and southern areas of the province have closed or are barely partially functioning. [5]
What to watch next: continued Houthi claims of strikes on Saudi sites and further advances by government forces under Saudi air cover as described in official statements.
