Yemen war escalates: What’s the latest, as government forces claim gains?

What the report says

Yemen’s internationally recognised government has announced a broad military push against the Houthis, signaling a fresh escalation in the country’s long-running conflict. The move, announced by Presidential Leadership Council chairman Rashad al-Alimi, comes after weeks of heavier fighting, Houthi gains along the Red Sea coast, and renewed pressure around the strategic city of Taiz. Al Jazeera reported that the latest clashes have also affected routes linking Taiz with Aden, the government’s interim base.

On Monday, government forces said they retook Dhubab district on Yemen’s west coast near the Bab al-Mandab strait, although the Houthis denied losing the area. Government military claims also described large-scale operations in several governorates, including Saada, al-Jawf, Taiz and parts of the western coast. Those figures could not be independently confirmed. Fighting was also reported in Marib, where government troops were said to have attacked Houthi positions on the Ragwan front.

The renewed violence follows the collapse of a fragile 2022 truce and has displaced more than 100,000 people since July, according to the article. The Houthis, who control Sanaa and much of northwest Yemen, have expanded their reach in recent months, including along coastline areas important for Red Sea shipping. Saudi Arabia, which leads a coalition backing the Yemeni government, said it would continue support until state institutions are restored and threats to maritime traffic are reduced. The worsening fighting matters because it threatens already fragile humanitarian conditions and raises concerns over security near one of the world’s most sensitive shipping corridors.