Al-Jawf Governorate Becomes New Epicenter of Yemen's Intensifying Conflict

Al-Jawf has emerged as a critical new focal point in the ongoing conflict between forces aligned with Yemen’s internationally recognized government and the Houthi movement, underscoring the strategic significance of this northern governorate. The Yemeni government army, along with its loyalist forces, has initiated a major counteroffensive aimed at reclaiming strategic heights east of the provincial capital, al-Hazm, from Houthi control. These operations are part of 'Operation Dawn of Yemen,' launched last month by the government with the objective of reversing Houthi territorial gains and re-establishing state authority across the country. Al-Hazm is central to this operation, positioned as a potential launchpad for government forces targeting the Houthis, who have controlled the capital Sanaa and much of northern Yemen since the war began in September 2014.

Throughout the 12 years of the Yemen war, control over al-Hazm has fluctuated. The Houthis captured the city in March 2020. The governorate remains highly sought after due to its extensive border with Saudi Arabia and its direct geographical connections to five key governorates: Hadramout, Saada, Sanaa, Amran, and the oil-rich Marib. It also lies close to the capital, Sanaa. Furthermore, Al-Jawf serves as a crucial defensive shield for Marib, which is under government control, thereby preventing Houthi advances into the eastern regions. It also acts as a gateway to significant Houthi strongholds in northern Yemen.

Field Commander Colonel Rabie Al-Qurashi reported that government forces have successfully secured complete control over the strategic Huwaishan mountain range, located east of al-Hazm city. He stated that this range constitutes the Houthis' primary defensive line on the eastern axis, and its control by government forces would enable them to disrupt rebel supply routes. Colonel Al-Qurashi added, "Government forces succeeded in breaking that defensive format with partial control over the Al-Alam front road." He further noted, "The government advance represents a beginning to tighten the noose on the Houthis in the upper al-Labanat camp," a location considered a vital eastern gateway to Sanaa.

Ali Al-Dahab, a military and strategic affairs researcher, highlighted the immense tactical advantages of controlling elevated terrain. "The recent advances of government forces in Al-Jawf are a military transformation that serves the course of future operations for their arrival to al-Hazm city," Al-Dahab informed Al Jazeera. "The government forces’ recovery of a number of heights there provides a military and psychological morale advantage and confuses the Houthis’ decisions, in addition to granting government forces monitoring, movement, and observation of Houthi supply lines and securing their own lines." Military spokesman Majed Abdullah Al-Nuzaili stated on X that recent military operations targeting Houthi positions in al-Jawf were "inflicting losses on the militia’s capabilities."

The government holds sway over the vast eastern desert district of Khabb wa ash Sha’af, which constitutes 82 percent of the governorate’s total area. The Houthis, however, control the provincial capital, al-Hazm, and ten other districts. Security and political affairs researcher Brigadier General Ahmed Al-Awadhi emphasized the importance of "continuous but not rapid" government advances in the region. "The advances of government forces in Al-Jawf cannot be ignored or their importance underestimated," Al-Awadhi told Al Jazeera. "Control over heights or mountain ranges in the desert Al-Jawf governorate represents points of military strength regardless of their proximity to or distance from the governorate capital." He added that the government forces' advances in al-Jawf expose a historical vulnerability for the Houthis, who have experienced repeated defeats in battles fought in desert and open terrains.

These developments coincide with the Presidential Council's appointment of Major General Amin Ali Al-Akimi as governor and military commander of al-Jawf. Ibrahim Jalal, an analyst specializing in Yemen, commented to Al Jazeera, "[His] reappointment… comes within the context of restructuring the theatre of operations and unifying the front." Jalal elaborated, "Hailing from Dhu Hussein, a branch of the Daham Bakil tribe, Al-Akimi possesses tribal and military influence that could help mobilise tribes, overcome divisions and bolster momentum on the ground. However, translating this influence into sustainable gains remains contingent upon unifying command and control, coordinating operations across all battlefronts, securing military and logistical support and strengthening anti-corruption efforts to improve the efficient management of military resources."

The Houthis maintain that they have repelled advances by government forces in al-Jawf and Marib. Meanwhile, hostilities are escalating nationwide. Houthi-affiliated media reported air strikes on an oil company facility in the Bajil district of Hodeidah, which occurred concurrently with fierce fighting further south. Government forces successfully repelled Houthi attacks in al-Aqroudh and on the Tur al-Baha front in Lahij governorate. Intense fighting persists in Taiz governorate, where the ongoing siege of Taiz City continues to strain medical infrastructure, with severely restricted deliveries of food and fuel. Authorities have warned that civilians remain at risk from sniper fire originating from surrounding hillsides. Governor Nabil Shamsan stated that hospitals are operating at only 20 percent capacity, and 120 health centers have been completely shut down due to the siege. "We urge the international community to secure at least one safe route between Taiz and Aden to enable citizen movement and the smooth entry of services, essential materials and goods," Shamsan appealed to Al Jazeera. Over 300,000 individuals have been displaced from their homes in western Yemen as a result of the escalating fighting, leaving civilians highly vulnerable.