Houthi forces claim to have taken control of large areas of western Yemen recently
The spokesperson for the Houthi armed forces, Yahya Saree, stated on the 11th that since launching their offensive on September 3, the Houthis have gained control of large areas of land in western Yemen.
Saree mentioned in the statement that the Houthis initiated this large-scale military operation on September 3, advancing from multiple directions and driving the "hostile forces" out of six areas in Taiz and Hodeidah provinces, having controlled approximately 5,400 square kilometers of land. During the operation, the Houthis struck seven enemy brigade-level units, resulting in "hundreds" of enemy casualties or captures, and rescued a large number of Houthi personnel who had been held captive in the western coastal region of Yemen for many years. Additionally, the Houthis conducted 32 interception operations against Saudi aircraft, shooting down nine aerial vehicles. The statement reiterated that the Houthis will continue their strategy of "blockade against blockade" and "escalation against escalation" until the aggression against Yemen ceases and the blockade is lifted. International maritime traffic remains safe, except for Saudi vessels.
Yemeni government officials say the government forces are regrouping
According to officials from the internationally recognized Yemeni government and military on the 11th, the Houthis seized the last major coastal stronghold of the Yemeni government forces, Zubab, near the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, and occupied the strategic location of Perlin Island within the strait. The Houthis have taken control of the entire western coast of Yemen and have pushed their offensive into the southern Lahij province.
An anonymous Yemeni government official stated, "After strengthening control over the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait and its surrounding key coastal areas and islands, the Houthis are further advancing south." The government forces have retreated to the Hoor Al-Omayra area in Lahij province, approximately 90 kilometers from the Yemeni government's temporary base in the southern coastal city of Aden. The government forces are "regrouping."
A local security department official said that as the front line advances towards Aden, security forces have strengthened defenses on the western entry points into Aden.
The Yemeni government forces announced on social media on the 12th that they conducted airstrikes against Houthi personnel, vehicles, and other targets located in the Muha and Zubab areas.
Houthi forces have launched a large-scale military operation since September 3, controlling significant territory in western Yemen, including Taiz and Hodeidah provinces. They have engaged in combat with enemy forces, inflicting casualties and capturing strategic locations such as Zubab and Pilin Island. The Yemeni government forces are regrouping in Lahij Province, about 90 kilometers from Aden, as Houthi forces continue their advance southward.
- Houthi forces have controlled approximately 5400 square kilometers of land since September 3.
- They have engaged and inflicted casualties on seven enemy divisions.
- Houthi forces intercepted 32 Saudi aircraft and shot down 9.
- The Houthi forces captured the last major coastal stronghold of the Yemeni government near the Mandeb Strait.
- Government forces are regrouping in Lahij Province, approximately 90 kilometers from Aden.