Houthi Offensive in Yemen Kills 129 in Push for Red Sea Coast
At least 129 people have been killed in Yemen since Thursday during a major Houthi offensive. The Iran-backed group is targeting coastal areas near the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait.
At least 129 people have been killed in Yemen since Thursday following a large-scale offensive by Houthi forces, military and medical sources reported. Approximately half of the casualties are fighters from the Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces.
Push for the Red Sea Coast
The offensive began on Thursday when the Iran-backed terrorist group launched a ground assault combined with missile and drone strikes targeting coastal areas. The strategic objective is to seize control of the coastline near the Bab al-Mandab strait, a critical chokepoint for international shipping in the Red Sea.
Military sources stated that the attack aims to isolate the port city of Al-Mukha, which is controlled by the internationally recognized Yemeni government, and advance further south toward the strait. The city has been under heavy fire in recent weeks.
Strategic Heights Captured
Officials acknowledged that Houthi fighters have captured several strategic high-ground positions overlooking government forces near the Red Sea and the inland city of Taiz, located east of Al-Mukha. These elevated positions will allow the Houthis to target commercial vessels in the Red Sea with greater ease.
By Friday evening, the death toll had reached 129. According to a Yemeni military official, 66 of the deceased were members of the government forces.
Government Counteroffensive
Meanwhile, sources told the Saudi news channel Al-Hadath that legitimate Yemeni government forces managed to recapture all areas in the Hays district, north of Al-Mukha. Intense clashes between government troops and Houthi fighters are reportedly ongoing in the Taiz governorate.
The escalation follows a maritime blockade declared by the Houthis against Saudi Arabia in July, with the group claiming that Riyadh is blockading Houthi-controlled territories. This declaration has triggered the current wave of ground offensives against government-held areas.
