As US steers clear of Yemen fight, the Iran-backed Huthis launch next phase of campaign

Over the past month, the Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen have played a significant role in the Middle East conflict. They have taken control of a section of the Red Sea coastline, launched missiles and drones at Saudi energy facilities, and even targeted the Saudi capital, Riyadh. Their campaign seems to be advancing, with a major offensive aimed at cutting off government forces in central Yemen, with the ultimate goal of controlling the entire country.

Saudi Arabia has deployed fighter jets and missiles to counter the Houthi advance towards the port city of Aden, where the internationally recognized government is based. However, the United States has not been persuaded to provide airstrikes to halt the Houthi gains, according to a regional diplomatic source. The United Kingdom has offered assistance, agreeing to provide "defensive air-to-air refueling" for Saudi jets for a limited period, according to Reuters.

The G7 foreign ministers have called on Iran to cease arming and supporting the Houthis, as well as for the militant group to end all military actions and attacks against civilian shipping. The Houthis have already seized a large portion of the Yemeni coastline bordering the Red Sea, including the Bab al-Mandeb chokepoint, one of the world's most crucial waterways.

Now, their campaign is focused on capturing the mountainous region of Taiz, an area containing vital routes for government forces. Cutting these routes would disrupt a crucial transportation and supply connection between government-held areas, according to Yemen analyst Mohammed al-Basha.