Houthi Forces in Yemen Capture Large Areas of Land in the West and Continue Advancing South

Xinhua News Agency, Kuwait City, September 11 (Reporter Yin Zha) - Sana'a reports: The Houthi armed group claimed on the 11th that since launching its offensive on September 3, it has occupied approximately 5,400 square kilometers of land in western Yemen. The Yemeni government stated on the same day that the Houthi armed group has taken control of the entire western coastline of the country and continues to advance southward.

Houthi spokesman Yahya Saree stated in a video statement broadcast on the group's controlled Masirah TV that this offensive targets the "gathering places of Saudi-supported forces" on the western coast, aiming to drive "hostile forces" out of the southwestern Taiz province and the Red Sea coastal province of Hudaydah. The statement claimed that "hundreds" of enemy personnel have been killed or captured, and that Saudi aircraft have been engaged, resulting in the "downing of 9 planes."

Saree also mentioned that international maritime traffic remains "safe," but Saudi vessels are still restricted.

According to officials from the internationally recognized Yemeni government and military on the 11th, the Houthi armed group seized the last major coastal stronghold of the Yemeni government forces near the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, Zubab, and occupied the strategically important island of Pihlin within the strait. The group has taken control of the entire western coastline of Yemen and has pushed its offensive into the southern Lahij province.

An anonymous Yemeni government official told Xinhua that "after strengthening control over the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait and its surrounding key coastal areas and islands, the Houthi armed group is further advancing southward." Government forces have retreated to the Hawl 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 "reassembling."

A local security official stated that as the front line advances towards Aden, security forces have strengthened defenses on the western entry points into Aden.

Residents in the Hawl al-Omayra area reported to reporters that the retreating government forces showed signs of chaos, such as selling weapons at low prices and abandoning military uniforms.

Recently, the Houthi armed group has intensified its offensive against government forces and announced a maritime blockade against Saudi Arabia, which supports the Yemeni government. On the 10th, both the Yemeni government forces and the Houthi armed group confirmed that the Houthis had captured the strategic Red Sea location and port city of Mocha on that day. Analysts believe that the change of control over this key stronghold could directly reshape the geopolitical landscape of Red Sea shipping. On the same day, after the government naval forces withdrew from the strategic Hanish Islands in the Red Sea, the Houthi armed group has deployed troops on the islands.

Before launching this round of offensives, the Houthi armed group had already controlled large areas of northern Yemen, including the capital Sana'a and the important Red Sea port of Hudaydah, but had not yet taken control of the coastal areas directly overlooking the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait.