Houthis Shift Military Focus to Lahj amid Relative Calm in Taiz
Fighting between Yemeni government forces and the Houthi militia is intensifying in Lahj governorate, with part of the conflict shifting to its southwestern fronts as military operations ease relatively in neighbouring Taiz. The Houthis are seeking a breakthrough that would allow them to outflank forces deployed around the strategic Bab al-Mandab area.
Military sources said that government forces, together with southern forces, sent substantial reinforcements on Thursday to the al-Sabiha fronts in al-Mudaraba wa Ras al-Ara districts, southwestern Lahj. The deployments are intended to strengthen positions on the ground and contain Houthi attacks, which have recently escalated.
A Major Military Operation
According to the sources, joint forces launched a large-scale military operation in recent hours with air support, recapturing the al-Sarih junction and positions in al-Shuhayriyah and al-Anbarah after fierce fighting with Houthi combatants.
The clashes, which continued into Friday morning, reportedly left dozens of Houthi fighters dead or wounded. Several others were captured as the militia retreated towards the administrative centre of al-Mudaraba wa Ras al-Ara district.
The sources said the ongoing military movements form part of broader preparations to reorganise government operations on the Lahj fronts. The aim is to push the Houthis towards the north of the district and prevent them from advancing towards the coastal road in the Ras al-Ara area to the south.
Seeking to Shift the Balance
Over the past two days, the Houthi militia has stepped up operations in the district. According to the sources, it is attempting to reach the Ras al-Ara coast to isolate government forces and tribal fighters in the Bab al-Mandab area and on the strategic Kahboub heights overlooking the strait. Such an advance would also bring Houthi forces closer to Aden, the interim capital and stronghold of Yemen’s internationally recognised government.
These manoeuvres reflect Houthi efforts to shift the balance of the fighting along Lahj’s coastal strip by threatening government supply lines. The area holds considerable military and geographical significance because it overlooks one of the world’s most important shipping routes.
Meanwhile, government and southern forces are reinforcing their defensive positions in the district while preparing operations intended to regain the initiative and push the Houthi threat away from strategic areas.
Uneasy Calm in Taiz
Houthi movements in Lahj coincide with an uneasy calm across most fronts in Taiz governorate in recent hours, despite continued Houthi shelling and attempts to launch hit-and-run attacks on the city’s southern areas.
Government forces and the Popular Resistance thwarted an infiltration attempt by Houthi fighters on the al-Aqroud front in al-Misrakh district, amid artillery shelling that targeted populated areas of the district.
Separately, air strikes targeted a Houthi security headquarters in the town of al-Turbah, as well as military reinforcements the militia had dispatched from al-Shamayatayn district towards neighbouring Lahj governorate. The strikes point to the interconnected nature of military operations across the two governorates, as the Lahj fronts become increasingly significant to the course of fighting around Bab al-Mandab.
