Yemen's government forces and Houthis clash on multiple strategic fronts
Intense fighting across Taiz, Marib, al-Jawf, Dhalea and the western coast has killed at least 194 people, as both sides vie for control of key terrain and shipping routes.
Intense combat between Yemen's UN-backed government forces and the Houthi movement has spread across the north, west and central parts of the country, leaving at least 194 dead and 880 injured in the past two weeks, according to aid agencies. The Houthis seized the port city of Mocha on the Red Sea coast, giving them a foothold near the Bab al-Mandeb strait, while government troops pushed to expand their hold in Taiz and Marib, an oil-producing region.
"The hills and mountainous areas of Taiz and the western coast are key targets for the Houthis, who have repeatedly attempted to advance there," said Yazeed al-Jeddawy, research manager at the Sanaa Center for Strategic Studies. He added that the Houthis aim to capture high ground, cut supply routes between Mocha and Taiz, and prevent government forces from linking up with the Taiz Military Axis.
Fuad Mussed, a Yemeni political analyst, explained that control of the western coast and Taiz is valuable because of its proximity to the Bab al-Mandeb chokepoint, one of the world’s most important shipping lanes. He said the Houthis seek to threaten maritime traffic to give Iran greater leverage over regional and international powers.
"Marib is a government stronghold in north Yemen. So, a Houthi expansion in Marib would threaten government presence and weaken its leverage in the north," said Saddam al-Huraibi, a political commentator. He noted that the Houthis have long pursued control of Marib’s oil and gas resources, and that government gains in adjacent al-Jawf could ease pressure on Marib.
On the Dhalea front, which links Houthi-held territory with the south, fighting has intensified despite a relative lull since April 2022. Al-Jeddawy warned that a Houthi advance could open routes to southern governorates, while a government push could threaten Houthi supply lines toward Ibb and the capital.
Pro-Houthi General Khaled Ghorab said the movement’s forces have prepared for a sustained, multi-domain attack, enabling them to respond to threats on land, sea and air.
Analysts note that the escalation reflects both domestic military objectives and broader regional dynamics, with Iran reportedly using the Yemen conflict to maintain leverage over Red Sea shipping routes.