Yemeni government forces seized strategic positions in the Lahj and Al-Jawf provinces on Wednesday, beating back Houthi attacks and infiltration attempts as fighting intensified across several fronts and the group fired ballistic missiles to support its embattled fighters.
Clashes continued along the Bab al-Mandeb front, where government troops pressed an offensive to dislodge Houthi fighters from their last remaining pockets around the strategic strait.
Field sources said government troops, backed by the Giants Brigades, Nation's Shield forces and the National Resistance, recaptured positions in Al-Maqatirah district in northern Lahj and thwarted Houthi advances toward Tur al-Baha and Al-Mudaribah.
Fighting spread to areas bordering the two districts, while government forces pressed ahead with offensive operations in the eastern Al-Jawf province.
In Taiz, government forces held their defensive positions despite a continuing Houthi siege, with clashes persisting on the city's southern and eastern fronts. The Houthis suffered casualties and equipment losses, particularly around the city.
In the latest advance, the Southern Giants Brigades and Nation's Shield forces said they had seized the strategic Jabal al-Sabaa Roqud position in Al-Maqatirah, driving out Houthi fighters and snipers after clashes.
The position overlooks Wadi Maabaq and commands sections of the vital Aden-Al-Turbah road through Tur al-Baha, giving government forces greater control over supply routes and troop movements while reducing the threat of Houthi sniper fire, according to military assessments.
The advance coincided with airstrikes on Houthi positions on Jabal Araf.
Local resistance fighters, backed by government fighters, also foiled a Houthi infiltration attempt deeper into Tur al-Baha.
On the Al-Maqatirah front, fierce clashes continued near the boundary with Al-Mudaribah, where National Resistance forces and local fighters repelled Houthi attempts to seize several positions, field sources said.
Southeast of Taiz city, fighting erupted along the Kahlan and Dabbah front after Houthi fighters tried to infiltrate residential neighborhoods.
Army troops and local resistance fighters ambushed the attackers, killing and wounding several of them, according to the 35th Armored Brigade's media office.
The National Resistance's military media office also reported heavy Houthi casualties and destroyed military vehicles after government forces repelled the attacks.
Government forces push forward in Al-Jawf
In the Al-Jawf province, government troops expanded their offensive east of Al-Hazm, capturing military positions in Al-Duhaida, Mulayfiyah and surrounding areas after fighting broke out before dawn.
Clashes continued as troops pushed toward the Al-Duhaiza mountains.
Field sources said government forces were clearing recaptured positions of landmines, explosive devices and fortifications left behind by retreating Houthi fighters.
The clearance operations slowed their advance despite continued ground assaults and air support.
The Yemeni Armed Forces' media center said warplanes and drones struck Houthi fortifications, troop concentrations and weapons depots, destroying several military vehicles.
Houthis fire ballistic missiles at military positions
The Houthis stepped up ballistic missile attacks in Lahj and Al-Dhale provinces in an effort to support fighters along the front lines.
Field sources said the group fired two ballistic missiles toward the Al-Maqatirah front and Tur al-Baha.
The sources said the Houthis had installed launch platforms on high ground in the district, using them as forward positions to target government troop concentrations and supply routes.
The attack came as fighting continued across Al-Dhale, where the Houthis have sought a breakthrough by striking military camps and troop concentrations after failing to advance along the front lines.
Meanwhile, government forces pressed operations along the Bab al-Mandeb front, seeking to clear remaining Houthi pockets from scattered positions around the strait.
1,208 strikes
Yemen's armed forces said they carried out 1,208 strikes against Houthi positions and movements on Tuesday under Operation Dawn of Yemen, targeting troop concentrations, reinforcements, fortifications, firing positions and military vehicles.
The operations involved warplanes, drones, field artillery and rocket launchers.
Armed Forces spokesman Colonel Majed al-Nuzaili said the strikes had neutralized about 370 Houthi commanders and fighters and destroyed or disabled roughly 120 military vehicles and pieces of equipment across multiple fronts.
Al-Nuzaili said army troops and local resistance fighters had captured positions along several fronts in Taiz and repelled Houthi attempts to retake them, while airstrikes hit the group's troop concentrations and equipment.
He said strikes were continuing in Marib, Al-Jawf and the southern and western sectors as government forces sought to weaken Houthi combat capabilities and reclaim positions still under the group's control.
