Yemen: Field Developments in Bab al-Mandab… Houthis Seize Kahbub Mountains
Sanaa – Yemeni sources reported on Monday that the Houthi group had made new territorial gains by seizing the Kahbub mountain range, which overlooks the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the surrounding coastline and areas.
The sources confirmed that the Houthis are positioned on mountains in areas south of Taiz in an attempt to re-encircle and besiege the city.
What Happened?
On Friday, the Houthis completed their takeover of the Bab al-Mandab region after deploying on the strategic island of Mayyun, located in the middle of the strait, according to an official source quoted by AFP.
Last week, the Houthis, who control large areas of northern Yemen, launched a large-scale offensive against government forces, achieving a series of territorial gains in battles that left hundreds dead.
AFP quoted a Yemeni government official as saying: “The Houthis have completed their control of the Bab al-Mandab region and Mayyun Island, located in the middle of the strait.”
He explained that “boats carrying Houthi militants arrived on Mayyun Island after government forces withdrew from it yesterday.”
Witnesses said that Houthi militants “are deployed along the Bab al-Mandab coast and have military vehicles patrolling the area.”
The local official said that the number of militants on the island “is not large,” indicating that they are likely interested in “positioning themselves on the hills overlooking the strait.”
Bab al-Mandab Region
The Bab al-Mandab region includes four strategic islands that were under government control: Zuqar Island, located near the Bab al-Mandab Strait in the heart of the international shipping lane between the coasts of Yemen and Eritrea, which the Houthis seized on Thursday; Mayyun Island, which they seized on Friday; and the Greater and Lesser Hanish Islands.
Government military sources told AFP that the Houthis are besieging government forces on Greater and Lesser Hanish.
One source added: “We don’t know the fate of our forces, which number more than two thousand, on the islands… As far as we know, the Houthi enemy has demanded their surrender.”
A senior military official told AFP that the besieged forces had appealed to authorities to “rescue them, send food and water, and lift the siege, but they need air support.”
On Thursday, the Houthis seized the Red Sea port city of Mocha, enabling them to continue their advance toward the Bab al-Mandab Strait.