Houthi Forces Gain Ground in Taiz Province While Repelling Saudi-Backed Counteroffensives

The Houthi movement reported significant territorial gains in Yemen's Taiz province, including capturing strategic mountainous positions and driving opposing forces from multiple districts while consolidating their siege on Taiz city. Saudi-backed forces launched counteroffensives near Bab al-Mandab and other areas but made limited progress against effective Houthi resistance, with the group claiming to have destroyed numerous vehicles and inflicted heavy casualties. The escalating ground conflict has prompted increased Saudi air operations across Yemen, resulting in civilian casualties including airstrikes on residential areas in Hajjah province.

The reported Houthi advances mark a significant shift in the territorial balance within Taiz province, a region that has been contested throughout Yemen's prolonged conflict. The group's control of mountainous terrain and additional districts suggests improved coordination of military operations and effective deployment of anti-armor capabilities against mechanized Saudi-backed forces. The simultaneous operations across multiple fronts, including near the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait, indicate the Houthis' capacity to sustain pressure on multiple axes of conflict simultaneously.