Houthis seek to control strategic Kahboub mountain range near Yemen's Taiz

The Iran-backed Houthis are clashing with Yemen's government forces for possession of the strategic Kahboub mountain range south-west of the country. Securing the mountain would provide the rebels with a significant tactical advantage, as it overlooks the Bab Al Mandeb strait and the port city of Dhubab, both recently seized by the Houthis in a swift offensive along Yemen's west coast.

Yemeni risk analyst Mohammed Al Qadhi explained that the rugged terrain of the mountains makes it difficult to advance, and the Houthis are making repeated efforts to gain control. The mountains were captured by the rebels in 2015, but they were lost to government forces backed by a Saudi-led coalition in 2017. Recent fighting in Yemen is the most intense since 2022, when a de facto truce led to a period of relative calm.

Analyst Ahmad Nagi of Crisis Group believes the rebels have adjusted their strategy slightly, focusing on consolidating their gains rather than capturing large areas. While the Houthis' recent success does not guarantee continued rapid advances, progress could still be slow depending on the government-aligned forces' reactions, Saudi air support, and the rebels' determination to continue fighting despite high casualties.

Saudi Arabia has provided military support, but Yemen's government has sought additional assistance from the United States and the United Kingdom. The UK pledged to provide Saudi Arabia with defensive air-to-air refueling, while US President Donald Trump made no direct pledge of support during a phone call with Yemen's head of the Presidential Leadership Council.

Recent fighting has displaced over 120,000 people, primarily from Taiz and Lahj, with the number expected to increase due to the ongoing conflict.