Saudi-backed forces retake key areas from Houthis in Yemen
Saudi-backed Yemeni forces have retaken several strategic areas around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait from Iran-backed Houthi rebels, according to Yemeni officials. The key town of Dhubab, along with Bab and Hadeid, was recaptured as part of a major offensive launched on Monday. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a vital shipping route connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, has been a focal point in the escalating conflict.
The offensive came in response to Houthi claims of attacks on Saudi oil facilities, airports, and military bases. Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, the Houthis' military spokesman, stated that the rebels targeted King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, an oil refinery in Rabigh, and other critical sites. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged that Saudi Arabia has the right to defend itself against such attacks, though he provided few details on U.S. involvement.
Pakistan and Turkey have agreed to deploy military forces to Saudi Arabia under their defense pact, condemning attacks on Saudi cities and civilian facilities. The Saudi-led coalition spokesman, Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki, reported that 100 fighter jets were supporting government forces, securing air protection of the strait and destroying hundreds of Houthi targets. The offensive follows the Houthis' capture of the town of Turbah, a strategic blow to Saudi-backed forces.
The escalation has reignited Yemen's civil war after a four-year ceasefire. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties and displacement, with the World Health Organization reporting at least 959 deaths and over 4,200 injuries. The U.N. migration agency noted that more than 174,000 people have fled their homes, while over 3,000 have escaped to Djibouti. The health ministry of Yemen's internationally recognized government warned of the conflict's impact on health facilities across Taiz province.