SANAA, Yemen—Yemeni government forces, backed by Saudi Arabia, launched a major offensive against the Houthis on Monday and announced the recapture of strategic positions around the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, one of the world's most vital shipping lanes.
The operation allowed government forces to recapture the
Dhubab district, as well as several positions near the strait. Military sources
also reported the capture of Dhubab airport and the severing of the road
connecting the area to Mocha.
The offensive, dubbed "Dawn of Yemen," is
supported by significant Saudi air power. The Riyadh-led coalition reported
that approximately 100 fighter jets are participating in the operations and
that hundreds of Houthi targets have been struck.
The forces advancing on the area include the Giants Brigades
and the National Shield Forces, units linked to the internationally recognized
Yemeni government. According to military authorities, the objective is to
secure the strait, cut off Houthi supply routes, and recapture territories
recently occupied by the armed movement.
Bab al-Mandeb connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and
is a vital route for international shipping. Its control is especially
important given current regional tensions and the disruption of other strategic
shipping lanes.