Analyst Or Ben Yehezkel assesses that Yemeni government-allied forces are concentrating near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait while Houthi forces attempt to encircle the southwestern city of Ta'izz. The assessment warns the Saudi-backed strategy may not be effective.
In an analysis published Monday afternoon, security analyst Or Ben Yehezkel assessed the current frontlines in Yemen, stating that Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces are concentrating their military efforts near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, while Houthi forces move to encircle the southwestern city of Ta'izz. Ben Yehezkel characterized the Saudi strategy as unwise, arguing that the Houthis retain a vast stretch of Red Sea coastline, enabling them to maintain a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia even in a limited form. The assessment is based on a single source and has not been independently verified.
Earlier Monday, the Saudi-led coalition announced the launch of 'Operation Dawn of Yemen,' a major air and ground offensive against the Iran-backed Houthis. According to coalition statements, approximately 100 fighter jets struck 324 high-value Houthi targets across Yemen. Yemeni government ground forces, with coalition air support, reportedly seized areas in the Dubab district overlooking the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, including the strategic Dhu Bab airport, as reported by sources affiliated with the internationally recognized Yemeni government. Houthi-affiliated media denied any significant territorial losses. The coalition said it is providing air cover for ground forces and securing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Additional airstrikes were reported on the Houthi-held capital, Sanaa.
As The Zioneer has previously reported, the Houthis had made significant territorial gains in recent weeks, capturing areas along the western coast including the Al-Omari military base and Zubayr airport, and threatening the key city of Ta'izz. Saudi Arabia had reportedly finalized plans for a multi-front offensive and mobilized tens of thousands of troops. The current operation marks a significant escalation in the Saudi-led effort to roll back Houthi control over strategic maritime chokepoints.
The precise extent of territorial control remains contested, with the Houthis denying coalition claims of ground advances. The analyst's assessment highlights that even if the Bab el-Mandeb area is secured, the Houthis retain the ability to threaten shipping from their remaining coastal areas. The status of Ta'izz, where reports of negotiations for a surrender agreement remain unverified, also remains unclear.
8 developments
- DevelopingSaudi air force strikes Houthi positions in western Ta'izz, AFP reports
- DevelopingPro-Saudi militias target Houthi positions near Ta'izz, southern Yemen, reports say
- StrongSunni_militias retake_tritory from Houthis in_Ta'izz,_push into_strongholds _analys says
- StrongSaudi Air Force carried out a wave of strikes on Houthi targets in Ta'izz, Yemen
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