Houthis push to reimpose siege on Taiz from its western countryside

Field data and local sources indicate that the Houthi group is seeking to expand its control in the western countryside of Taiz, cutting off the remaining supply and communication routes between the city of Taiz and areas under government control, potentially reviving the siege scenario the city endured during the war years. These Houthi movements come amid changes in the control map along the western coast, which, according to sources, have enabled the group to attempt advances from the Al-Kadhah front toward the interior of Taiz province’s western countryside, taking advantage of the rugged mountainous terrain that restricts the movement of military vehicles.

According to residents and local sources, Houthi elements infiltrated several western rural areas in recent days, launching from the Al-Kadhah front. They executed a flanking maneuver against government forces through the Bani Omar area, passing through Al-Ahraz village, heading toward Al-Ajram village, in an attempt to reach the asphalt road connecting the city of Al-Turbah and the Al-Hajariyah center to Taiz city.

Sources state that group elements use motorcycles or move on foot in some areas due to the difficulty and ruggedness of the terrain. However, government forces, backed by local resistance, managed to repel the attackers to the borders of the Al-Ghayl area near Al-Waziiyah, seizing heavy equipment and vehicles abandoned by the Houthis during the clashes.

Sources also report continued Houthi expansion in the Bani Bakari district of Jabal Habashi directorate, with group elements stationed in several villages and attempts to control the mountain heights overlooking the area. According to the same sources, Houthi pressure is focused on the Bani Omar and Bani Bakari areas, with the group seeking to reach key heights in Jabal Habashi and control the highest elevations in the directorate.

In the Khadir directorate, local sources report that the Houthis continue to deploy military reinforcements to Al-Damna city, alongside movements in the Al-Aqroud area of Al-Masrak directorate and toward Al-Salu directorate, near the contact lines with government forces.