Yemeni Army Expands Battlefronts... From Al-Jawf in the East to the Coast in the West
Yemeni government forces have expanded the scope of their military operations against the Iran-backed Houthi group by opening a new front in the Al-Jawf governorate, northeast of Sanaa. This move coincides with ongoing counterattacks on the western coastal front and in Taiz, as well as airstrikes in Al-Dhale’e, Al-Bayda’, and western Marib, amid military reports of significant losses and collapses within the rebel ranks.
As the escalation entered its fifth day on Monday, military sources reported that government forces had begun a ground offensive to liberate Al-Jawf governorate. Over the past few hours, they managed to retake the Al-Labnat camp and its surroundings, east of Al-Hazm, the provincial capital under Houthi control. This development opens a new, wide front as government forces advance to liberate Al-Hazm.
As Yemeni forces achieve further progress, the battle for Al-Jawf appears to be more than just a struggle for military positions; it is a race for a region that grants its controller greater maneuverability and the ability to influence supply and communication routes between northern and eastern Yemen, in addition to holding significant economic leverage.
The operation is led by units from the First and Third Emergency Divisions and the Sixth Military Region. Sources reported a decline in Houthi ranks and collapses at several of their positions, concurrent with continued airstrikes and fire support for advancing government forces.
The move in Al-Jawf comes a day after Yemeni forces announced a military counter-operation targeting the Al-Labnat camp, which the Houthis had been using as a military base, according to spokesperson Colonel Majid Al-Nazili. He stated that the operation resulted in the “destruction and neutralization of the group’s capabilities and elements,” utilizing specialized military assets recently deployed into service.
On the western coast, joint Yemeni forces announced the continuation of fierce clashes across various fronts, particularly in the Al-Bar axis. This coincides with forces dealing with Houthi infiltration attempts in the Juzlah and Burah areas of the Maqbana district in western Taiz.
Fierce clashes also erupted in the Saqm axis following the detection of reinforcements and infiltration attempts by the group. Meanwhile, government forces managed to retake Al-Kurah Mountain on the Al-Kadhah front, according to military sources.
Developments in Al-Kadhah are of particular importance due to its location on the road connecting Taiz city and the coastal city of Al-Mukha. Houthi advances in some parts of this area in recent days had made the route vulnerable to threats.
These developments follow the ability of government and joint forces, over the past few days, to shift the course of the Houthi offensive that began last Thursday on the western coastal and Taiz fronts. What started as an attempt to achieve field breakthroughs has turned into a counteroffensive that has reclaimed numerous positions and completed the liberation of the Hays district in southeastern Al-Hudaydah, before advancing toward Al-Jarahi.
