Yemen Government Forces Escalate Attacks Against Houthis Amid Regional Tensions

Yemen's government forces have conducted multiple air and ground operations in southwestern Taiz province over the last 24 hours, intensifying their campaign against the Iran-backed Houthi group. The government's Military Media Centre reported several operations against the rebels, including airstrikes across five locations in the province.

Since fighting erupted in July following a period of relative calm since the 2022 UN-brokered ceasefire, approximately 130,000 people have been displaced. Recently, the Houthis have made significant territorial gains, capturing the strategic Red Sea coastal city of Mocha and expanding control over the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. Rashad al-Alimi, the head of the Presidential Leadership Council, has urged citizens to mobilize and join the fight to halt the Houthi advance and reclaim lost territory.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has sought support from allies including Pakistan and Turkiye after facing Houthi attacks on its soil. According to the Military Media Centre, dozens of Houthi fighters and field commanders were killed or wounded in recent clashes near Taiz. Operations targeted districts such as Al-Wazi’iyah, Mafraq Ma’wiyah, Al-Dhukrah, Hayfan, and Gurab, while government forces also thwarted infiltration attempts and utilized artillery shelling.

Regional responses have varied. Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud called on the international community to condemn Houthi actions during the United Nations General Assembly. Yemeni Vice President Abdullah Abdulkader al-Alimi-Bawzer accused the Houthis of using shipping security as a tool for blackmail. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General Jassim Mohammed al-Budaiwi also strongly condemned the attacks.

Conversely, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian denied Tehran's involvement in the conflict, urging dialogue between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia. Amidst these developments, Saudi Arabia's allies have coordinated defense strategies, with Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman holding talks with Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir, while France confirmed sending troops to guard the oil terminal at Yanbu.

Humanitarian conditions in the country remain severe. UNICEF's Akhil Iyer reported that 130,000 people have been displaced over the past three weeks, with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) noting that more than 22 million people require humanitarian assistance and protection services in Yemen.