Yemeni government and Houthis clash on multiple strategic fronts
Forces loyal to the UN-recognised Yemeni government and the Houthi group are engaged in intense fighting across several regions, including Taiz, the western coast, al-Jawf, Marib, and Dhalea. At least 194 people have been killed and 880 wounded in the past two weeks, according to aid agencies. The Houthis are seeking to gain a foothold on the Red Sea coast, while government forces aim to expand control in Taiz and secure the oil-producing Marib area.
The recent surge in hostilities has concentrated around the coastal city of al-Makha, located roughly 60 kilometers from the Bab al-Mandeb strait. Houthi forces have launched sustained missile and drone strikes against the city's port for a month, while also attempting ground advances to sever supply routes linking the coast to Taiz.
Government troops are simultaneously pushing to consolidate control over the oil-rich Marib region and expand their presence in Taiz. Analysts note that the al-Jawf governorate, which shares a border with Saudi Arabia, and the Dhalea region, acting as a geographic bridge between northern and southern Yemen, are also active battlefields where territorial shifts could alter strategic balances.
The escalating conflict could further destabilize an already fractured nation, potentially disrupting Red Sea shipping lanes and impacting global trade. Civilians in contested areas like al-Makha and Taiz may face increased displacement and humanitarian hardship, as aid agencies already report significant casualties. Regional tensions involving Iran and the United States could amplify, with these fronts serving as leverage points that may prolong the war and complicate any future peace negotiations.