Iran-backed Houthi rebels have lost numerous strategic locations in the Bab al-Mandab strait to forces of the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen, Yemeni officials reported on Monday. The vital town of Dhubab, which is located just north of the strait, has been retaken by forces affiliated with the internationally recognised government, according to the officials. According to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not permitted to speak to reporters, they also took the towns of Bab and Hadeid. Witnesses reported seeing government personnel and tanks moving into the communities.
The government push was a part of a large-scale attack that a Saudi military alliance launched early on Monday with the goal of regaining all of the Houthis’ territories. The offensive, however, occurred just after the rebels claimed to have taken more land in Yemen’s southwest, including the strategically important town of Turbah, which dealt a blow to the Saudi-backed forces as they moved closer to Taiz, the country’s third-largest city and strategic provincial seat.
Maj Gen Turki al-Malki, the spokesperson for the coalition led by Saudi Arabia, stated that 100 fighter jets were supporting the forces of Yemen’s internationally recognised government in their conflict with the Houthis. He said that as part of the ongoing battle, the coalition had destroyed hundreds of Houthi targets and obtained “air protection” over the vital Bab al-Mandab waterway.
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