KenyaYemen Govt Forces Secure Bab al-Mandab Strait
Yemeni government forces, backed by Saudi Arabia, have launched a major offensive against the Iran-backed Houthi movement, securing the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait and retaking the Red Sea port city of Mokha. Houthi-run media denied government advances in the Dhubab area.
Global Newsflix 2 min read
Yemen's government says it has launched an offensive aimed at retaking all territory held by the Houthis. The operation, dubbed Operation Yemen Dawn, began on Sunday, with Yemeni pro-government forces backed by Saudi Arabia securing the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
A Yemeni military spokesman said Giants Brigades and National Shield forces were besieging Houthi fighters in the Red Sea coastal town of Dhubab, after taking control of its airport and cutting the road to the port city Mokha.
The Yemeni military said National Shield, Giants Brigades, and Tihama Resistance forces had captured Mokha on Monday afternoon with the help of Saudi air strikes. Houthi-run media denied that government forces had made advances in Dhubab.
The government said operations had also begun on other fronts, including the capital Sanaa, which fell to the Houthis at the start of the civil war 12 years ago. A Saudi-led military coalition said its fighter jets had destroyed over 300 'high-value' targets in strikes supporting the offensive.
Rashad al-Alimi, the head of Yemen's internationally recognised Presidential Leadership Council, announced the beginning of the offensive, insisting that all opportunities for de-escalation had been exhausted. He called on all armed forces, security forces, and military formations to carry out their assigned missions.
The Houthis said they had launched ballistic missiles and drones at oil sites belonging to Saudi Aramco in Riyadh and the Khurais area of Saudi Arabia in retaliation for dozens of Saudi strikes on their territory. Yemen has been devastated by a civil war that began in 2014, when the Houthis ousted the government from Sanaa.
The conflict escalated in 2015, after a Saudi-led coalition of Arab states intervened in an attempt to restore the government's rule. A four-year-old informal ceasefire began to unravel, leading to the current escalation of violence.
Key facts
- Yemeni government forces have secured the Bab al-Mandab Strait
- The government has launched an offensive to retake all territory held by the Houthis
- The operation is backed by Saudi Arabia
- Houthi-run media denied government advances in the Dhubab area
Three perspectives
Neutral
The situation in Yemen remains volatile, with both sides exchanging blows. The international community will be watching the developments closely, as the conflict has significant regional implications. The humanitarian situation in Yemen is also a major concern, with millions of civilians affected by the war.
Positive
The Yemeni government's offensive could potentially lead to a breakthrough in the conflict, allowing for a return to peace talks. The support from Saudi Arabia could provide a significant boost to the government's efforts. A peaceful resolution to the conflict would be a major step forward for the people of Yemen.
Negative
The escalation of violence in Yemen will likely lead to further humanitarian suffering, with civilians caught in the crossfire. The conflict has already had a devastating impact on the country, with millions displaced and in need of aid. The involvement of external powers, such as Saudi Arabia, has also raised concerns about the conflict's regional implications.
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