Yemen forces claim key gains near Bab al-Mandeb: What’s the latest?

Yemeni government forces, backed by Saudi Arabia, claim to have retaken strategic positions near the Bab al-Mandeb strait from the Iran-aligned Houthis. This offensive, dubbed "Dawn of Yemen," follows recent Houthi gains along the Red Sea coast, including the port city of Mocha. Fighting is concentrated in southwestern Yemen, with government forces asserting control over several mountains and Mocha itself. The Houthis deny these claims, stating they remain in control of their gains. In response to the Yemeni government's offensive, the Houthis have claimed attacks on airports and oil infrastructure in Saudi Arabia.

Yemen's Saudi-backed government has launched a new military operation to retake all Houthi-held territory, according to a statement from Rashad al-Alimi, head of the presidential council. This announcement comes as the Iran-backed Houthis have reportedly made gains, encircling the government-held city of Taiz by cutting a vital supply route. The operation aims to extend state authority across the entire country. The government has struggled to regain territory lost to the Houthis, including areas along the Red Sea coastline. Fighting in the Taiz region has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. Simultaneously, the Houthis claimed to have launched missile and drone attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure in response to Saudi-led airstrikes.

Yemeni government forces claim to have secured the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a claim denied by Houthi-run media. The Houthis assert they launched missiles and drones at Saudi Aramco oil sites in Riyadh and Khurais in response to Saudi strikes. This conflict, ongoing since 2014, escalated in 2015 with Saudi-led coalition intervention. Recently, the Houthis launched an offensive along the Red Sea coast, taking areas overlooking the strait. They stated they would not threaten international shipping but would target Saudi vessels. Since August 6th, the fighting has resulted in at least 959 deaths and 5,000 injuries, with 197,000 displaced according to UN figures.

Mali's military regime, led by Assimi Goïta, faces a severe escalation of violence from al-Qaida-affiliated militants, Jama’at Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM), and their Tuareg separatist allies. Recent coordinated attacks, including ambushes and drone strikes, have inflicted significant casualties on Malian forces and their Russian mercenaries, resulting in the deaths of the defense minister and head of military intelligence. JNIM and separatists have also seized the key northern town of Kidal, reversing a previous junta victory. While outright regime overthrow is considered unlikely, analysts believe the insurgents aim to force concessions from the weakened government in the chaotic Sahel region, where previous international counterinsurgency efforts have failed.