Yemen’s armed forces affiliated with Ansar Allah said on Friday that they had pushed back reinforcements in six districts in the provinces of Taiz and Hodeidah, while also insisting that maritime navigation remains safe for all companies. The statement comes amid rising military tension in Yemen and the wider region, with the group’s field announcements coming alongside reported Saudi airstrikes on Mokha port and the city’s airport, as well as reports that the Houthis had taken control of Bab al-Mandab.
Military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said in a statement cited by the Iraqi News Agency that the operation, launched on September 3, was called “And Allah is more severe in might and more severe in punishment.” He said the operation involved several axes and had the support of local residents, according to the statement.
Military Operation in Taiz and Hodeidah
Reinforcements Pushed Back From Six Districts
Yemen’s armed forces said the operation launched on September 3 targeted “reinforcements” in six districts across Taiz and Hodeidah. According to the statement, the operation took place along multiple axes and was described by the group as successful despite what it called heavy air cover.
Brig. Gen. Saree said the forces carried out 32 engagements against warplanes and shot down nine other aircraft, in what the group described as part of the ongoing fighting during the operation.
Maritime Navigation Declared Safe
The statement stressed that maritime navigation is “safe for all companies,” suggesting that, in the group’s view, the military operations do not threaten commercial shipping. That claim comes at a sensitive time, given the importance of the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab for global trade and energy routes.
Saudi Airstrikes on Mokha Port and Airport
Strikes on Coastal Infrastructure in Western Yemen
Meanwhile, media reports on Friday said Saudi warplanes carried out airstrikes on Mokha port in Yemen’s western coastal city, and also targeted Mokha airport. The reports said the strikes came after the Houthis tightened their control over the city.
These developments reflect the continuing military confrontation in western Yemen, where Mokha is strategically important because of its location near the Red Sea and key shipping lanes.
Escalation Along the Western Coast
The reported airstrikes come amid a continuing escalation along Yemen’s western coast, where ground, sea, and air operations overlap in a complex military picture. The situation affects ports, facilities, and transport infrastructure tied to trade in the region.
Ansar Allah Says It Controls Bab al-Mandab
Miyun Island and a Strategic Strait
Ansar Allah also announced on Friday that it had taken control of the Bab al-Mandab strait. A Yemeni government official said the group had “taken control of Miyun Island and completed its control of Bab al-Mandab.”
Bab al-Mandab is one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. Any change in its security status has broad regional and international implications.
Why the Strait Matters
Bab al-Mandab is a critical passage for commercial shipping and oil tankers, making any shift in its control a major concern for global navigation. Any claim of control over the strait carries serious regional and international consequences.
U.S. Reports Suggest Hesitation on Direct Strikes
Trump Rejected a Saudi Request
In the same context, Axios reported, citing two U.S. officials, that President Donald Trump rejected a Saudi request to launch strikes against the Houthis. The report added that U.S. officials said the administration does not plan to take direct military action against the Houthis for now.
The position suggests that Washington, at least at this stage, does not want to enter into direct military escalation, despite regional calls for stronger action against the group.
Diverging Regional Calculations
These developments show clear differences in regional and international calculations over how to deal with the situation in Yemen. While Ansar Allah continues to announce military operations and expand its control in some areas, reports suggest that the opposing camp remains divided over whether to escalate militarily or focus on political measures.
Conclusion:
Military developments in Yemen continue, with Ansar Allah saying it pushed back reinforcements in six districts in Taiz and Hodeidah and insisting maritime navigation is safe, while reports also pointed to Saudi airstrikes on Mokha port and the city airport. The group’s announcement that it controls Bab al-Mandab adds to the tension, alongside U.S. reports that Trump rejected a Saudi request for strikes on the Houthis. The situation remains highly volatile, with implications for shipping and Red Sea security.
