Houthis advance on Yemen highlands amid reports of halted US strikes

Houthi fighters intensified their offensive on Monday, moving to seize the Kahboub Mountains that link the Red Sea coast with government-held areas in southern Yemen. The advance aims to cut off the remaining Saudi-backed forces from the coast, according to five Yemeni military sources who spoke to Reuters.

The push follows a report by The New York Times that President Donald Trump cancelled a planned US airstrike against the Iran-backed group at the last moment, even as bombs were being loaded onto aircraft. Reuters could not verify the report, and the White House did not respond to a request for comment.

Yemen's internationally recognised government, led by President Rashid al-Alimi, had asked Trump for military assistance on Sunday, but sources said the president received no direct pledge of support. Saudi Arabia, which has been conducting hundreds of airstrikes on Houthi positions in the highlands, has not commented on the alleged missile launch at its capital on Saturday.

"The government forces appear to remain largely in a defensive posture following the loss of the Bab el-Mandeb area, while the Houthis are seeking to maintain the momentum of their advance, despite being exposed to intensive air strikes," said Mohammed Al-Qadhi, a veteran journalist turned political analyst.

The fighting threatens Saudi Arabia's alternative oil-export route that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz. In response, Saudi shipments through Hormuz have risen sharply, with satellite data showing exports of about 2.9 million barrels per day, up from 700,000 in August. The increased flow has helped keep global crude prices near $100 a barrel, though refined-fuel prices remain high.

The broader conflict remains at a stalemate, with diplomatic efforts stalled after a June interim agreement between the United States and Iran collapsed. Iran's president is scheduled to attend the UN General Assembly in New York later this week.