Yemen army recaptures hills near Bab al-Mandeb from Houthis

Yemen’s army announced on Friday that it had retaken the al‑Khazan and al‑Makahna hills in the Jabal Habashi district, just west of Taiz city. The move comes as fighting with Houthi rebels rages along the western Taiz and southern Hodeidah front lines. The hills are a strategic high ground overlooking the Bab al‑Mandeb Strait and the port of al‑Makha, a key point the Houthis have targeted since their offensive began on Thursday.

The Houthi offensive launched on Thursday aimed to seize control of the hills and the nearby coastal city of al‑Makha before striking the Red Sea coast. Since the start of the attack, more than 100 fighters have been killed on both sides. A Yemeni military official said 24 government troops were killed near the west coast, while another reported 15 deaths in Taiz. In Houthi‑controlled areas, medical sources confirmed at least 42 fighters lost their lives. Civilians have also suffered: a ballistic missile struck a restaurant in al‑Makha, killing several people, and the overall casualty toll in Yemen has risen to over 120 since the offensive began. The Houthis have also imposed a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, adding pressure on the Gulf region.

Government forces say reinforcements have arrived in western Taiz to counter the Houthi push. The army also recaptured a strategic military base in the area, a development highlighted by officials in Aden, the internationally recognised capital. Houthi fighters continue to press for control of the hills that overlook the Bab al‑Mandeb Strait, a passage that links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and is vital for global shipping. Analysts suggest that holding the strait would give the Houthis a strategic advantage in any future conflicts with Saudi Arabia or Israel, and could alter the balance of power in the region.

The continued clashes underscore the fragile security situation in Yemen and the wider Gulf. As the Houthis hold key coastal positions, the risk to international shipping lanes increases. The international community watches closely, as any escalation could threaten the flow of oil and goods through the Bab al‑Mandeb. The situation remains fluid, with both sides likely to intensify their efforts in the coming days.