Yemeni government forces push Houthis out of Bab-el-Mandeb strait area

On Monday, Yemeni government forces backed by Saudi Arabia carried out a rapid, lightning military operation in the coastal area near the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, Reuters reported. The goal of the operation was to regain control over territory stretching to the port city of Mokha.

Territory recaptured

As a result of the operation, government forces managed to push Iran-backed Houthi fighters out of most of the areas the group had seized just last month. This means the government side managed to reverse the situation in this coastal strip in a short period of time, after it had previously fallen under Houthi control.

Parties to the conflict

Yemen has long been the site of an armed conflict between the internationally recognized government, supported by a Saudi-led coalition, and the Houthi movement, which is backed by Iran. The area around the Bab-el-Mandeb strait and the city of Mokha has recently become one of the flashpoints of this confrontation, as both sides compete for control of coastal territories.

Course of the operation

According to Reuters, the government forces' operation was lightning-fast, allowing them to retake a substantial stretch of territory that the Houthis had held for several weeks. As a result, Houthi forces have been forced to retreat from positions they had captured during the previous month's advance in the same region.

It remains unclear whether fighting in the area will continue or whether government forces intend to consolidate the positions they have regained. The situation around the Bab-el-Mandeb strait is considered significant, since control of the area affects the balance of power between the parties to Yemen's conflict.