Houthis push into Kahboub Mountains to consolidate Yemen’s Red Sea gains
The advance brings fighting closer to Bab al-Mandeb, as experts assess the mountains’ value in defending Houthi positions and pressuring government-held areas.
Houthi forces are attempting to advance into Yemen’s Kahboub Mountains after capturing much of the country’s Red Sea coast, according to Al Jazeera. Fighting has moved into the highlands overlooking approaches to Bab al-Mandeb, a major maritime chokepoint linking the Red Sea with the Indian Ocean and the Suez Canal.
The mountains span parts of the Lahj and Taiz governorates, with some heights about 40 kilometres from the waterway. Experts cited by Al Jazeera said control of the terrain could provide defensive depth for Houthi positions along the newly captured coastline and help protect routes used to move fighters, weapons and supplies.
The immediate significance of Kahboub may be defensive rather than as a direct launchpad for attacks on shipping. Its elevated positions could make it more difficult for government forces to strike Houthi positions from the south and east, while increasing pressure on government-held areas around Taiz, Lahj and potentially Aden.
The mountain battle is proving slower and more difficult than the Houthis’ advance across the coastal plains. Footage circulated by the Taiz Military Axis Command appeared to show fighting on the mountain fronts, but Al Jazeera said it could not independently verify the material.
Taiz has been a centre of resistance to the Houthis since the group seized Sanaa in 2014 and was besieged for years. Al Jazeera’s experts cautioned that fighting in Kahboub should not yet be treated as evidence of an attempt to encircle the city, although a further advance could place greater pressure on routes connecting Taiz with Aden.
The developments come amid renewed regional concern over Red Sea shipping. The Houthis have said restrictions at Bab al-Mandeb would apply only to Saudi-linked vessels, but the group has previously attacked or endangered ships without a clear connection to its stated targets. The New York Times reportedly said US President Donald Trump came close to ordering air strikes against the Houthis before cancelling them, while Britain reportedly offered Saudi Arabia defensive refuelling support.
