A major military effort led by Yemeni forces Bab al-Mandeb Strait offensive Houthi fighters unfolded on Sunday. Pro-government troops backed by Saudi Arabia announced that they secured the Bab al-Mandeb Strait after launching a wide offensive. Military spokespersons reported that Giants Brigades and National Shield forces encircled Houthi positions in Dhubab, captured its local airport, and severed main transit routes toward Mokha.
Meanwhile, the Saudi-led coalition confirmed that fighter jets destroyed over 300 target locations to support advancing ground troops. Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, ordered all armed formations to fulfill assigned combat missions until full national liberation occurs. Conversely, Houthi representatives denied losing control in Dhubab and reported firing ballistic missiles at Saudi Aramco facilities in retaliation.
Consequently, violent clashes erupted across multiple active fronts, including area surroundings near Sanaa and Taiz. The surge in hostilities followed the collapse of a four-year informal truce, which degraded after maritime blockades and drone strikes resumed in July.
The renewed fighting created severe humanitarian consequences across southwestern coastal regions. Health Ministry officials confirmed that recent hostilities resulted in nearly 1,000 casualties and over 5,000 injuries. Furthermore, United Nations observers warned that nearly 200,000 residents experienced displacement due to active artillery fire.
Because the Bab al-Mandeb Strait connects the Red Sea to global maritime commerce routes, international security monitoring continues continuously. Authorities maintain operational vigilance to safeguard shipping channels against further militarized disruption.
Reference
BBC News. (2026, October 5). Yemeni government forces claim to have ‘secured’ Bab al-Mandeb Strait. BBC. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cw8rzd6lp0xpo