Yemeni Government Forces Claim Bab el-Mandeb Strait in Major Operation Against Houthis Amid Current Wars in the World

Yemen's internationally recognized government has launched a major military operation called 'Dawn of Yemen' against the Iran-backed Houthis, aiming to retake all territory including the capital Sanaa and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait after the rebels made significant recent gains that ended a 2022 ceasefire, as part of the current wars in the world. [1] [4] The Yemeni military announced a broad set of strikes against Houthi targets after the government declared a new campaign to retake all territory even as the Iran-backed group made fresh gains on the ground. [1] Yemen's internationally recognized government says it has launched a major military operation against Iran-backed Houthi rebels. [4]

Government Launches 'Dawn of Yemen' Offensive

Yemeni presidential council chief Rashad al-Alimi announced the operation to restore state institutions and end Houthi control of Sanaa. [3] The Yemeni military announced a broad set of strikes against Houthi targets on Monday after the government declared a new campaign to retake all territory even as the Iran-backed group made fresh gains on the ground. [1] France 24's Kethevane Gorjestani takes a look at the reasons behind this latest escalation in the long-running conflict. [1] Yemen's internationally recognized government says it has launched a major military operation against Iran-backed Houthi rebels. [4]

Forces Claim Control of Bab el-Mandeb Strait

Yemeni government forces, including the Southern Giants Brigades and Nation’s Shield forces, claim to have seized control of the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait from the Houthis as part of the operation. [2] [4] Army says Southern Giants Brigades, Nation’s Shield forces claim strategic area as part of ‘Operation Dawn of Yemen’. [2] Yemeni government forces were fighting Houthis on and near the Bab el Mandeb Strait, a vital maritime traffic waterway. [4] In a Sky News Exclusive aired on Sunday, footage showed armed Yemeni government forces nearby the Bab el Mandeb Strait. [4] Houthis fighters were also nearby the area, according to Sky News correspondents. [4]

Recent Houthi Advances That Prompted Escalation

The Houthis captured the city of Mokha and several Red Sea islands last month in their biggest land grab in years, extending their reach to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and ending the 2022 ceasefire that had largely halted major fighting in the 12-year civil war. [4] The Houthis have launched a major offensive against government forces on the outskirts of Taiz, disrupting a key road to Aden and continuing a decade-long siege of the city. [4] The rebels have besieged Taiz for more than a decade. [4] The Houthis captured the strategic city of Mokha and a number of Red Sea islands last month, extending their reach to the key maritime waterway of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. [4] It was the Houthis’ biggest land grab in years and ended a 2022 ceasefire that largely stopped major fighting in Yemen’s 12-year civil war. [4] The Houthis have launched a major offensive in recent days against government forces and their allies on the outskirts of Taiz, disrupting a major road linking the city to the port city of Aden, the seat of the internationally recognised government led by Rashad al-Alimi. [4]

Commanders Describe Advanced Houthi Weapons

Renewed violence has killed hundreds and displaced tens of thousands, with government commander noting the Houthis are using advanced weapons including drones, Kornets, and long-range ballistic missiles not seen in prior engagements. [4] "What's happening now is different to our previous wars with the Houthis," said Tafiq Al-Haboun, Commander of Larj National Security Forces, adding that it was much more advanced. [4] "They have superior weapons like drones, Kornets and long-range ballistic missiles. All of these weapons are only just now being used. We haven't seen this before," Al-Haboun said. [4]

Human Cost and Broader Context in Current Wars in the World

Renewed violence in Yemen has killed hundreds and displaced tens of thousands. [4] The long-running conflict continues with Yemen's internationally recognized government declaring a major operation against Houthis. [1] Yemen's government declares major operation against Houthis. [1] The Yemeni military announced a broad set of strikes against Houthi targets after the government declared a new campaign to retake all territory even as the Iran-backed group made fresh gains on the ground. [1]

What to watch next: Yemeni government forces and their allies continue fighting Houthis on and near the Bab el Mandeb Strait while the Houthis maintain their offensive on the outskirts of Taiz.