The Houthis of Yemen, who are backed by Iran, have advanced to within 80 kilometers of Aden, the temporary capital of Yemen. This advance marks the closest point to Aden since the war began in 2015, when they temporarily entered the city and were then driven out.
Rising Tensions in the Regional War
This new attack has opened a turbulent front in the wider U.S. and Israeli war against Iran, drawing both the Houthis and Saudi Arabia deeper into regional conflicts. The Houthis have intensified their attacks on Saudi Arabia, which supports the Yemeni government, and the Saudi-led coalition has also increased airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen in response to these attacks.
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This violence has destroyed the UN-brokered ceasefire established in 2022, which had largely halted major attacks. The war, which began in 2014 when the Houthis ousted the government from Sana'a, is now continuing with greater intensity.
Strategic Threat to Aden and Taiz
The Houthi advance threatens strategic positions along the main road between Aden and the besieged city of Taiz. This road is a vital artery for southwestern Yemen. This attack, which dates back to a broader offensive from September, comes after the capture of areas along the Red Sea coast and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, one of the world's most important maritime transport routes.
The Houthi advance provides an opportunity to bypass government forces along the mountain ranges overlooking the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Government forces had only recently driven the Houthis from these areas. In recent weeks, Houthi attacks on Aden, the temporary capital of the government since 2015, have also intensified.
Clashes between the Houthis and government forces continued on Monday at a military camp at the entrance to the Tor al-Baha area, one of the main routes to Aden. This camp is located about 50 kilometers from the center of Lahij province and 80 kilometers from Aden.
The Houthis launched their attack on government positions in the al-Maqatirah area three days ago and have since taken full control of the area. This mountainous region dominates the road connecting Taiz to Aden. The Houthis have forced government forces to retreat towards Tor al-Baha.
The Yemeni Minister of Information did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A Houthi official released a video claiming to show the group's forces entering Souq al-Rabwah in the al-Maqatirah area. This route has been the last remaining link between government-controlled areas and Taiz throughout the war.
Taiz, Yemen's third-largest city, has been under siege since early October when the Houthis cut off its main road to Aden. This siege has displaced over 100,000 people and caused shortages of food, fuel, and medicine.
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