Saudi-led coalition says 324 Houthi targets hit in Yemen

Government forces in Yemen have launched a major military operation against the Houthis, dubbed “Fajr al-Yemen” or “Yemen Dawn.”

Yemeni government forces have claimed that they have regained control of strategically important areas in Dhubab and key positions near Bab al-Mandab.

Bab al-Mandab is a strategically vital maritime passage between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

According to Yemeni army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Majid Abdullah al-Nazili, government forces, including the Southern Giants Brigades and Nation’s Shield Forces, are advancing in the Bab al-Mandab area.

He said Dhubab Airport had also come under the control of government forces, while the route between Dhubab and Mokha had been cut off. However, the Houthis have denied the claims of an advance by government forces, meaning that the battlefield claims could not be independently verified.

Meanwhile, the Saudi-led coalition said that 100 fighter jets had taken part in the “Yemen Dawn” operation and that 324 key Houthi targets had been struck since the operation began.

Coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Malki said the Saudi-led coalition forces were continuing to provide air support to Yemeni ground forces.

The coalition forces said the Bab al-Mandab Strait was also being provided with air protection, while operations against mobile targets were continuing.

Control of the area by any side is therefore considered important not only to the war in Yemen but also to regional and global maritime trade.

The Yemeni government launched the major operation with the aim of retaking areas under Houthi control and restoring the authority of state institutions.

Yemeni President Rashad al-Alimi said the military operation was launched after avenues for de-escalation efforts had been exhausted. Meanwhile, the Houthis’ recent advances have raised fears that the war could escalate once again.