Yemeni government troops claim repelling Houthi assault in Taiz
Yemeni government-aligned forces said they repelled coordinated Houthi attacks in Taiz governorate, killing and wounding dozens of fighters. The Houthis attempted to reach a key road connecting Aden, Lahj, and Taiz. Control of the strategic Kahboub Mountains remains contested, with recent Houthi gains along the Red Sea coast.
The overnight clashes centered on a vital road corridor linking three southern governorates, with government-aligned troops reporting they beat back the assault and inflicted heavy casualties. The strategic Kahboub highlands, which overlook the Bab al-Mandeb strait, remain hotly disputed after Houthi forces captured Mocha and coastal territory earlier this month.
Government forces claimed control of Mount Qarfan on Tuesday, a position overlooking valleys connecting southern Taiz to the western coast. The Houthis separately accused Saudi forces of conducting hundreds of air strikes across multiple governorates since the escalation began, while the World Health Organization recorded 674 deaths and over 158,000 displacements since early August.
The renewed fighting could deepen Yemen's humanitarian crisis, with displacement already exceeding 158,000 and civilian casualties mounting. Prolonged contest for the highlands may disrupt supply routes and aid access across southern governorates, while broader regional tensions involving Iran and Saudi Arabia could prolong the conflict. Communities in Taiz, Lahj, and coastal areas may face continued insecurity, limited services, and further displacement as both sides seek strategic advantage.