The Houthis, in their latest military operation, have reached a distance of 80 kilometers from Aden, the temporary capital and the most important base of the Yemeni government. This is the closest distance the group has reached to Aden since the war began in 2015, when they briefly entered the city but were quickly pushed back by government forces.
Intense Clashes Around Military Camp
On Monday, intense clashes continued between the Houthis and government forces around a military camp at the entrance of the "Taur al-Baha" area. This camp is located 50 kilometers from the city of Lahij and 80 kilometers from Aden. Military sources report that the Houthis began their attack on government positions in the mountainous area of "Al-Maqatirah" three days ago and now have complete control of this area. Government forces have also been forced to retreat towards Taur al-Baha.
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Threat to Strategic Communication Route
The Houthi advance severely threatens the communication route between Aden and the city of Taiz, which could allow them to bypass government positions in the heights overlooking the Bab al-Mandab Strait. This advance is part of a broader operation that the Houthis have been conducting since September, during which they have taken control of parts of the Red Sea coast and areas around the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
Alongside this advance, Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have increased, and the Saudi-led coalition has intensified airstrikes on Houthi positions in Yemen. These tensions peaked last Wednesday when the Houthis targeted Aden Airport. Additionally, the presidential palace in the city was also attacked in October.
Worrying Humanitarian Situation in Yemen
The siege of the city of Taiz, which is considered Yemen's third-largest city, has intensified since early October, displacing over 100,000 people. This situation has led to shortages of food, fuel, and medicine in the area, making living conditions extremely difficult for the residents of this city. Meanwhile, the Yemeni government's Minister of Information has yet to respond to requests for comments on these advances.
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