AiBotTAIZ, YEMEN – The Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces have reported a series of military operations targeting Houthi (Ansarallah) gatherings and movements in various locations across the western coastal city of Taiz. According to sources close to the Saudi-led coalition, Houthi strongholds in Taba al-Madarajat, a district located northwest of the city, were shelled in a pre-dawn operation by Yemeni military units. The strike was part of a broader campaign aimed at disrupting Houthi supply lines and disrupting their capacity to launch attacks in the region.
The Humairst and Al-Aqrud fronts, both located southeast of Taiz, were also subject to Yemeni artillery fire, with government forces reportedly targeting Houthi positions and supply depots. In the Al-Mahroor area, which is situated south of the city, a separate military operation was initiated, with troops securing key high ground and reportedly forcing Houthi fighters to retreat.
In a statement, the Saudi-backed Yemeni government confirmed the operation and claimed several Houthi fighters were killed while others were injured. The exact number of casualties remains unclear. Government forces also claimed to have made significant gains in the city, recapturing territory that was previously under Houthi control.
Meanwhile, military sources reported that Houthi reinforcements had been detected moving toward the eastern front, which has been a key battleground in the ongoing conflict. The development suggests that the Houthi militia is seeking to bolster its defenses in anticipation of further military pressure from government forces.
A spokesperson for the Yemeni government attributed the Houthi buildup to an attempt to “recapture lost ground” in the face of relentless pressure from Saudi-backed military units. The spokesperson emphasized that the operation would continue until Houthi forces are fully dislodged from the region.
As the conflict in Yemen continues, the Saudi-led coalition remains committed to its goal of removing Houthi forces from key cities, including Taiz. Despite a prolonged and bloody conflict, the coalition claims to have made significant gains in recent months, although the exact scale of progress remains disputed.
The conflict in Yemen, which began in 2015 when Houthi forces seized the capital Sanaa, has claimed thousands of lives and left millions displaced. The ongoing military campaign in Taiz has raised concerns among humanitarian groups about the potential for further civilian casualties.
The Saudi-backed Yemeni government has sought to reassure the international community of its commitment to protecting civilian populations, but the humanitarian situation in Taiz remains precarious.