Yemen forces push back Houthis in Marib offensive

Yemeni government-aligned forces have repelled an offensive by fighters from the Ansar Allah movement, also known as the Houthis, in Marib province in southwestern Yemen, Al Hadath reports.

The broadcaster reported that government forces had “repelled a massive Houthi attack” launched from three directions south and west of the provincial capital, Marib.

Fighting was also reported along the border between Lahij and Taiz provinces, near the strategically important Kahbub mountain range overlooking the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Al Hadath said the Houthis suffered significant losses in the clashes.

The latest escalation follows an offensive launched by Ansar Allah in southwestern Yemen in early September. The movement has also carried out missile and drone strikes against coastal areas of the Red Sea and the vicinity of Taiz, reportedly seeking to cut routes to Mokha and advance toward areas near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

On September 12, a member of Ansar Allah’s political bureau said that the movement had completed an operation to establish control over areas in western Yemen with access to the strategic strait.

By Vafa Guliyeva