Saudi-backed Yemeni forces attack Houthis near key global trade route

Saudi-backed Yemeni forces announced on Monday that they have reclaimed significant positions near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a crucial trade route. This comes amid a renewed effort to undermine the advances made by the Iran-aligned Houthi rebels. The United States Embassy in Saudi Arabia issued a warning on Monday about potential threats from drones and missiles. Riyadh strongly condemned the escalating attacks by the Houthi forces, which are targeting civilians, economic infrastructure, and maritime traffic.

Yemeni military spokesperson Majid al-Nuzaili stated on X that the government forces have successfully secured control of the Bab al-Mandeb and regained possession of a key road connecting the Dhubab district to the port city of Mocha. While CNN has not independently confirmed this claim, Yemeni forces backed by Saudi Arabia have initiated a strategic offensive operation against the Houthi-controlled capital, Sanaa.

If successful, this offensive could weaken the Houthi grip on the Bab al-Mandeb, where their attacks on Saudi oil exports via the Strait of Hormuz have driven prices higher just weeks before the US midterm elections.

The Houthi-run Saba News Agency dismissed reports of Yemeni and Saudi-led coalition forces advancing, claiming the reported gains are "fictitious" and an attempt to mask repeated failures. Meanwhile, the Humanitarian Operations Coordination Center, a Houthi-controlled maritime coordination body, cautioned airlines against flying over Saudi airspace, deeming it unsafe as long as Saudi "aggression" persists.

Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan agreed to strengthen collective defense measures under the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement, also known as the Mecca Alliance, in an emergency meeting in Riyadh. This alliance was focused on addressing security threats facing the kingdom. The Saudi-led coalition pledged its full support on Sunday to Yemen's internationally recognized government in its campaign to reclaim territory.

Yemeni coastal advances by the Houthi forces appeared to be waning, according to Yemeni analyst Fatima Alasrar, who noted that the Houthi momentum in the Red Sea is breaking.

The ongoing fighting has resulted in the displacement of tens of thousands of people, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis. More than three-quarters of families in certain regions of Yemen are now facing hunger due to the surge in violence, according to the World Food Program. Yemeni presidential council head Rashad al-Alimi announced the operations aimed at reclaiming Houthi-held territory and restoring state authority throughout the country.

The recent offensive was anticipated due to the Houthi militias' continued mobilization, escalating attacks, and threats against civilians, facilities, neighboring nations, and maritime routes.

Saudi defense spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki stated that the coalition would continue providing full operational support to Yemeni government forces in their efforts to restore state institutions and put an end to the Houthi coup. He claimed that the operation "Dawn of Yemen" had destroyed 324 high-value targets and involved 100 fighter jets.

The Houthi-controlled Health Ministry reported two deaths, including a child, and seven injuries resulting from Saudi airstrikes near Sanaa on Monday. However, CNN could not independently verify these claims. A video shared on social media purportedly depicted Yemeni government-aligned forces driving over Houthi fighters near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, but CNN could not independently confirm the date or circumstances of this incident.