Yemen Government Forces Hold Frontlines as Houthis Seek to Expand Red Sea Gains

Yemen’s internationally recognised government forces have managed to hold their frontline positions in Taiz despite intensified attacks by the Houthi movement, which is seeking to expand its recent territorial gains along the Red Sea coast.

The Houthis launched heavy attacks across several frontlines in Taiz on Thursday as they attempted to advance into strategically important areas. However, government forces said they had inflicted significant losses on Houthi fighters and equipment.

Despite calls by Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi for a general mobilisation against the Houthis, there are currently few indications that government forces are preparing for a major counteroffensive.

Instead, the government is reportedly focusing on strengthening and reorganising its forces. Plans include recalling reserve personnel, retraining troops and integrating local anti-Houthi fighters and civilian volunteers into the military structure.

Fighting has continued in Taiz since early September, while clashes have also been reported around the Kahboub Mountains near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and in Lahj, south of Taiz.

Government military spokesman Colonel Majid al-Nazili said on Monday that government forces had carried out more than 400 strikes within 24 hours against Houthi positions, resulting in losses of personnel and military equipment.

The government’s ability to stop further Houthi advances is being attributed partly to the difficult mountainous terrain around Taiz and Lahj, as well as increased military firepower.

The Houthis captured parts of Yemen’s Red Sea coastline last month, but their attempts to seize mountainous positions overlooking the Bab al-Mandeb Strait have so far failed.

The conflict has increasingly shifted towards control of roads and supply routes, with neither side managing to repeat the rapid territorial advances seen during the Houthi offensive along the Red Sea coast.

According to Al Jazeera’s Yemen editor Ahmed al-Shalafi, the Houthi offensive in Taiz is aimed at consolidating its coastal gains and attempting to divide government forces.

He said Taiz remains strategically important because of its links to Lahj, Aden and Hodeidah, while government forces in the area benefit from cooperation between local tribes, government troops and other anti-Houthi groups.