Houthis Press Taiz Offensive and Down Turkish Drone
The Houthis released footage on October 8 showing their forces pushing Saudi-backed troops out of al-Shamayatayn district in Taiz province, including al-Turbah. They reported further gains in Jabal Habashi, expelling government troops from high peaks, and said they downed a Turkish-made Bayraktar Akıncı drone over Taiz. The Saudi-backed counterattack toward Bab al-Mandab remains stalled, with the Houthis controlling the waterway.
On October 8, Houthi media showed fighters entering al-Turbah, the main town of al-Shamayatayn district in Taiz province, after Saudi-backed units withdrew. The footage also displayed captured vehicles and weapon stocks. In Jabal Habashi, west of Taiz, Houthi sources said government forces were pushed off high ground, including Najd al-Oud and al-Anaqib.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree stated that a Turkish-built Bayraktar Akıncı combat drone was downed over Taiz during what he called hostile missions, using an unspecified suitable weapon. The Saudi-backed attempt toward Bab al-Mandab reportedly remains stalled, and the Houthis still hold the waterway. Their likely next aims include Taiz city, already besieged, and retaking positions near Bab al-Mandab such as Dhubab’s airstrip.
Continued fighting around Taiz could deepen civilian hardship, as residents in and near the besieged city may face disrupted access to food, water, and medical care. Families in contested districts might be displaced again, while local economies and combatants could be affected by shifting front lines. Control of Bab al-Mandab may influence maritime traffic and import prices, potentially affecting Yemenis who rely on goods passing through the waterway. These are possible consequences, not certain outcomes.