Yemen's Houthis advance on Aden as government forces retreat to defend their capital

Houthi forces have advanced to within 60 kilometres of Aden, the seat of Yemen's internationally recognised government, according to military and government sources. Following a failed Saudi-backed government offensive last month, the interim government announced it is pulling back its forces from the Bab el-Mandeb Strait to defend its temporary capital on the southern coast.

Free Malaysia Today reports that the military is redeploying troops from the strategic strait to reinforce areas where current circumstances require, noting that securing Aden and nearby provinces has become a priority.

On Sunday, a Houthi missile attack near Aden killed eight people and wounded 12 others at a checkpoint in the neighbouring Lahj province, according to military and government sources reported by Free Malaysia Today. Amidst the fighting, the Houthis released 600 members of government forces held since hostilities resumed in July. The group described the move as a humanitarian initiative and the largest unilateral prisoner release and pardon operation in the history of the conflict.

Separately, Yemen's military stated it has carried out 906 strikes on Houthi targets as part of Operation Dawn of Yemen, resulting in the destruction of 121 vehicles and the neutralization of 201 fighters, according to Ajel English.

Brief written by urgent.news from France 24, The Times of Israel, Al-Monitor, Free Malaysia Today, Ajel English — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.