Fierce Houthi Clashes near Bab al-Mandab as Iran Seeks Direct Influence

The ongoing battles west of Taiz governorate are unfolding in a highly strategic zone situated near the Bab al-Mandab strait—a critical maritime corridor through which much of global trade and oil shipments pass. Securing this area would allow Iran, through its Houthi proxies, to exert direct influence over one of the world's most vital waterways, a key objective in Tehran's regional strategy to command the southern Red Sea approach.

In this context, districts west of Taiz have witnessed fierce clashes since last night, coinciding with intense Houthi shelling and field advancement attempts in Maqbana and Jabal Habashi. Military and local sources reported that the Houthis pushed reinforcements with 14 ballistic missiles and drones targeting Mokha, Mawza, and other areas. While the Houthis advanced in several positions, large government reinforcements from the National Resistance and Taiz Axis forces arrived, engaging in ongoing clashes with dozens of casualties on both sides.

The National Resistance's military media stated it has been fighting fiercely since Thursday dawn across western coast fronts, inflicting heavy losses on the militia. It added that the Houthis' intensive ballistic bombardment preceded the clashes across Al-Kadaha, Al-Barh, Maqbana, and Saqam, which continue unabated. The Resistance confirmed the Houthi attacks, affiliated with Iran's Revolutionary Guard, were broken by their vigilance, with militia movements monitored in real-time, and noted the ballistic strikes utterly failed to disrupt their battle management.

Separately, the Iranian-aligned militia targeted the Al-Waziyah bridge, linking the western coast to Taiz, attempting to sever movement between the two sides—further underscoring their intent to consolidate control over the approaches to the Bab al-Mandab strait and bring this strategic choke point under Tehran's direct sway.