Yemen govt forces claim gains against Houthis near key waterway

Yemeni government forces claim to have made advances against Houthi rebels near the Bab al-Mandab strait, a crucial waterway, according to AFP on Saturday. The government launched a counter-offensive last week to reclaim areas seized by the Houthis, who had taken control of Yemen's western coastline in a rapid offensive with Iranian support.

The Houthis reported that government forces attacked in the Bab al-Mandab region but claimed to have successfully repelled the assault. Mayun Island, located within the strait, remains under Houthi control as the fighting continues. Clashes in the region have resulted in at least 63 casualties in the past 24 hours, with 35 government forces and 28 Houthis killed, as confirmed by military sources from both sides.

The conflict has intensified following a major operation by government forces, backed by Saudi Arabian air power, on Friday. The Saudi-led coalition reported destroying over 130 Houthi targets in a large-scale operation, while the Houthis retaliated by attacking Saudi Arabia's infrastructure, including transport hubs, oil facilities, and civilian targets with drones and missiles.

The Saudi government retaliated by striking key Houthi targets in Yemen, including the Houthi-controlled capital Sanaa, resulting in three deaths at the international airport. The renewed fighting has displaced over 200,000 civilians, as reported by UN data, highlighting the devastating impact of the conflict on Yemen's population.