In brief
Yemen’s government troops, backed by a Saudi‑led coalition, moved into Houthi territory near the Bab al‑Mandab Strait on Monday, sparking heavy clashes that left at least nine soldiers dead. The Houthis suffered casualties too, while both sides claim victory. The strait’s strategic importance underscores the ongoing battle for control over a vital maritime route.
Yemen’s government forces, supported by a Saudi‑led coalition, launched a fresh offensive near the Bab al‑Mandab Strait on Monday, provoking intense clashes with Houthi fighters, an unnamed government military source told Xinhua.
The source, who wished to remain anonymous, said units of the Southern Giants Brigades and other government forces began the advance early Monday, with fighting still raging hours later.
At least nine government soldiers, including a field commander, were killed as Houthi forces struck the advancing troops with missiles and drones, the source said. The government source added that the Houthis also suffered losses, though did not provide a figure.
In contrast, a Houthi‑run al‑Masirah TV source described the offensive as a series of “failed attempts” to advance toward Bab al‑Mandab.
"We repelled the attacks and inflicted heavy losses on the opposing forces,"the Houthi source said, adding that a “large number” of soldiers were killed or wounded.
Both sides claim victory, reflecting the ongoing struggle for control over the narrow maritime chokepoint that links the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and serves as a vital shipping route between Asia and Europe.
The fighting marks the latest attempt by government forces, backed by the Saudi‑led coalition, to gain ground around Bab al‑Mandab amid a sharp escalation in recent weeks, with intensifying ground battles and airstrikes inside Yemen and Houthi missile and drone attacks on government‑held areas and targets inside Saudi Arabia.
