Forces of the Saudi-led coalition have recaptured several key areas around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait from Iran-backed Houthi rebels, Yemeni officials said, as part of a wider push to retake Houthi-held territory.
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Key facts
- Saudi-backed forces recaptured areas around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait from Houthi rebels, Yemeni officials said Monday.
- Government-allied forces retook the crucial town of Dhubab, just north of the strait.
- The towns of Bab and Hadeid were also captured, officials said.
- The push is part of a major offensive launched under air cover by the Saudi military coalition.
- Witnesses reported seeing government tanks and forces entering the towns.
Forces of the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen have recaptured several key areas around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait from Iran-backed Houthi rebels, Yemeni officials said Monday, according to the Guardian.
The officials said forces allied with the internationally recognized government retook the crucial town of Dhubab, just north of the strait. They also captured the towns of Bab and Hadeid, the officials said.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to reporters, the Guardian reported. Witnesses said they saw government tanks and forces entering the towns.
The advance comes as part of a major offensive launched under air cover by the Saudi military coalition. The push aims to retake all territory held by the Houthis, according to the report.
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is one of the world’s most important maritime passages, linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, which makes control of the surrounding areas strategically significant.
Why it matters
The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a vital shipping chokepoint between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, so control of the surrounding territory carries significant strategic and economic weight. The reported gains mark a notable development in the long-running conflict between the Saudi-led coalition and the Iran-backed Houthis.
Frequently asked questions
Which towns did Saudi-backed forces recapture?
According to Yemeni officials cited by the Guardian, forces retook the town of Dhubab just north of the strait, along with the towns of Bab and Hadeid.
Why is the Bab el-Mandeb Strait important?
The source describes it as a crucial and strategic area, and the strait links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, making it an important maritime passage.
What is the aim of the offensive?
The push is part of a major offensive launched under air cover by the Saudi military coalition, aiming to retake all territory held by the Houthis.
Timeline
- Saudi-backed forces recapture key areas around strait from Houthis in Yemen
The Guardian World: Government push comes as part of major offensive launched under air cover by Saudi military coalition, aiming to retake all territory held by Houthis Forces of the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen have recaptured several key areas around Bab el-Mandeb Strait from Iran-backed