The key facts

  • Yemeni army: 129 Houthis killed, 176 wounded over 48 hours in Taiz
  • 13 airstrikes on Monday evening against Houthi positions, warehouses and equipment
  • Houthis did not comment on the army's statements; since July both sides have reported advances

Statement by the Military Command

The Yemeni army said on Monday evening that over the past two days 129 Houthi fighters were killed and another 176 wounded in clashes and airstrikes in the south-western province of Taiz. According to the command of the Taiz military axis, government forces have for the second day in a row continued their offensive on Houthi positions in the al-Misrakh district south of the city of Taiz. The operation was carried out with the support of local fighters and residents who, according to the command, inflicted heavy losses on the group.

Raids and Airstrikes

The command also reported a raid by army units on a Houthi position on the al-Akrud front, as a result of which several fighters were killed and wounded. On Monday evening, aircraft carried out 13 strikes on Houthi positions, weapons, military equipment, ammunition depots and concentrations of personnel across Taiz province. The Houthis did not comment on these army statements.

Strategic Importance of the Region

Taiz is of strategic importance: the province connects the northern and southern provinces of Yemen and serves as an important transport and supply corridor between the temporary capital Aden and the central and northern regions of the country. The province is also home to the Red Sea port of Mokha near the strategically important Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

Course of the Conflict Since July

Since the escalation of fighting in July, government forces and their allies have announced advances on several fronts, including the return of control over the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and areas of the Dhubab district. At the same time, the Houthis, having advanced into parts of the province's rural areas, have intensified the siege of the city of Taiz from the surrounding northern, western and eastern heights. The conflict in Yemen has continued since September 2014, when the Houthis seized the capital Sanaa, leading to the intervention of the Saudi Arabia-led coalition in March 2015 in support of the internationally recognized government. The Houthis control most of the north and west of the country, while government forces and allies hold Aden and a significant part of the southern and eastern provinces.