In brief
Yemen’s government forces, backed by a Saudi‑led coalition, launched a fresh push near the Bab al‑Mandab Strait on Monday, sparking intense clashes that have already claimed at least nine government soldiers and some Houthi casualties. Both sides claim victory, underscoring the ongoing struggle for control of the crucial maritime chokepoint. The fighting marks the latest attempt by government forces to gain ground amid escalating battles inside Yemen and increased missile and drone attacks on Saudi territory.
On Monday, Yemen’s government forces, backed by a Saudi‑led coalition, launched a fresh offensive near the Bab al‑Mandab Strait, sparking intense clashes that have already claimed at least nine government soldiers, a government military source told Xinhua.
The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said units of the Southern Giants Brigades and other government forces began the advance early in the day, setting off waves of missiles and drones that struck the advancing troops. "At least nine government soldiers, including a field commander, were killed," the source said, adding that the Houthis also suffered casualties but without giving a figure.
Al‑Masirah TV, the Houthi‑run channel, cited a military source within the group, saying that Houthi forces had repelled the attacks and inflicted "heavy losses" on the opposing forces. The Houthi source described the offensive as a series of "failed attempts" to advance toward Bab al‑Mandab, claiming that a “large number” of soldiers were killed or wounded.
"Heavy losses," the Houthi source said.
Both sides claim victory, underscoring the ongoing struggle for control over this critical maritime chokepoint that links the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. The fighting marks the latest attempt by government forces, supported by the Saudi‑led coalition, to gain ground around Bab al‑Mandab amid a sharp escalation in recent weeks, with intensifying ground battles and airstrikes inside Yemen accompanied by Houthi missile and drone attacks on government‑held areas and targets inside Saudi Arabia.
Yemen has been mired in conflict since late 2014, when the Houthis seized the capital Sanaa and much of northern Yemen, prompting the Saudi‑led coalition to intervene in 2015 in support of the Yemeni government.■
