Yemeni government’s military says its forces advancing against Houthis

What Happened

Colonel Majed Abdullah al-Nazili, spokesman for Yemeni government forces, said at least 1,150 Houthi fighters were killed in almost 2,000 targeted operations across Yemen over the previous 24 hours as part of operation “Dawn of Yemen”. He said the army destroyed Houthi ammunition dumps and at least 180 combat, transport and supply vehicles, and that ground forces “continued to advance their assault”. Al Jazeera could not independently verify these figures. The Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces are advancing to recapture areas around the Bab al-Mandeb strait, with battles reported around the southern Red Sea coastal cities of Mocha and Dhubab.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The offensive targets the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a critical choke point for global Red Sea shipping. The fighting coincides with Houthi threats to international aviation and Pakistan, raising the risk of a wider regional escalation. Baraa Shiban, an associate fellow at RUSI, said no regional or local mediators are currently able to cool the situation, suggesting the violence will continue and could draw in additional international actors.

Watch For

Independent verification of claimed Houthi casualties and destroyed vehicles; any Houthi claim of responsibility for the Riyadh airport attack; the US decision on joining strikes; Pakistan’s response to Houthi threats; the outcome of battles around Mocha and Dhubab and control of the Bab al-Mandeb strait; further Houthi missile or drone activity against Saudi Arabia or international shipping.