Yemen’s army and allied forces have raised their state of alert on the Taiz and Hajjah fronts as they move to reorganize their military positions to shift the momentum, while the Houthis increase pressure on Taiz after seizing the western coast as far as Bab al-Mandab.
In northwestern Hajjah province, Presidential Leadership Council member Othman Mujalli inspected Fifth Military Region forces and affiliated fronts, reviewing their readiness, training and morale.
Mujalli said the armed forces would continue confronting the Houthis and working to restore state institutions, stressing the need to maintain morale and prepare for the battle to liberate the country.
He also praised the Fifth Military Region’s ability to develop equipment for ammunition production and the maintenance of weapons and vehicles, as well as bolster its drone unit and advanced surveillance system.
The visit included naval forces, the coast guard and several islands off Midi district. Mujalli reviewed efforts to evacuate civilians and personnel from Zubair Island after they were stranded because of recent developments along the western coast. He also inspected naval readiness to secure the islands and territorial waters and strengthen the military and security presence along the coast.
The visit comes as government forces seek to hold their positions in the northwest while reassessing their military deployment following rapid developments on the western coast.
Pressure on Taiz
In southwestern Taiz, the Yemeni army announced Tuesday that it had struck a Houthi ballistic missile launch platform at Taiz airport, east of the city. The Taiz Military Axis said warplanes targeted the platform as military vigilance increases around the city amid growing pressure from the west.
The Yemeni Armed Forces had earlier announced strikes on Houthi equipment, personnel and positions seized by the group in Dhubab in Taiz province and Al-Khawkhah in Hodeidah province, according to military spokesman Col. Majid al-Nazili.
The strikes coincided with an inspection tour by Taiz Military Axis Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Abdulaziz al-Majidi of several fronts surrounding the city.
In southern Taiz, Tur al-Bahah Axis commander and 4th Mountain Infantry Brigade commander Maj. Gen. Abu Bakr al-Gbouli inspected front lines stretching from Bani Omar to Jardad and the outskirts of Al-Wazi’iyah district.
Al-Gbouli said his forces were at a high level of combat readiness and capable of responding to developments on the ground, stressing vigilance, operational discipline and constant preparedness for Houthi movements.
Regrouping
The moves follow a major shift after the Houthis seized large parts of the western coast, including Mokha, Al-Khawkhah and Hays, before reaching Bab al-Mandab and several Red Sea islands. The developments have increased pressure on Taiz, which could become a target for Houthi attempts to expand their control and tighten their grip on the city and surrounding countryside.
Observers say government military activity in Taiz and Hajjah reflects an effort to contain the repercussions of losing the coast and prevent the Houthis from turning their recent gains into a permanent reality on the ground, while reorganizing forces and raising readiness in the most sensitive sectors.
Mujalli also urged tribes to protect their sons from Houthi recruitment and being drawn into fighting. He praised Saudi support for Yemeni forces and humanitarian and development projects and inspected efforts by the Masam mine-clearance project to remove mines planted by the Houthis in government-held areas.
The developments indicate that government forces are seeking to move beyond responding to the recent setback and build a more cohesive military posture, particularly in Taiz, where inland fronts intersect with the coast and Red Sea routes, making the province central to any attempt to shift the momentum.
