Amid intensifying attacks by Houthi militia in Yemen, militants have launched five ballistic missiles towards various regions in the south and west of Taiz province, causing panic among residents and prompting dozens of families to flee.
Local sources reported that the missiles were launched from Mount Oman east of Taiz towards the areas of Bab al-Mandeb, Hejeg al-Abed, and Ras al-Ara in the southern and western parts of the province, according to Al Arabiya/Al Hadath correspondent.
Al Arabiya/Al Hadath sources also confirmed on Friday that two airstrikes targeted Houthi gatherings near Mocha airport in the south of the city.
Bab al-Mandeb Strait
Two Yemeni government officials stated that the Houthis have reached the city of Dhubab, located directly on the Bab al-Mandeb Strait across from Perim Island, Reuters reported.
Another government source told AFP that the militia has deployed to the strategic Mayun Island, located in the center of the strait.
Escalating Violations
Simultaneously, Houthi violations against civilians in the areas of Al-Waziyah, Mawza, and Hays in Hodeidah have intensified, leading to a massive wave of displacement. Residents reported that campaigns of arrests and home invasions prompted more than 150 families to leave their homes and head towards Bani Omar, located south of Taiz and under Yemeni government control.
In the province of Hodeidah, Houthi militia stormed the headquarters of several relief organizations as part of their escalation against civilians and humanitarian workers.
This development comes after renewed Houthi attacks around the Mocha perimeter, while government forces have repositioned and enhanced their presence along the western coast. They have reinforced units from the city of Mocha towards the Dhubab area in Taiz province.
The Yemeni National Defense Council reaffirmed last evening that any temporary field advances by the Houthis will not grant them the right to impose a fait accompli by force, emphasizing the state's and armed forces' ability to regain the initiative and continue what it described as a 'deterrent process' across various fronts.
The clashes, which erupted a week ago between the Houthis and government forces, have been the fiercest since the two parties reached a truce in 2022, resulting in the deaths of at least 500 people, mostly combatants, according to AFP.
The battles have displaced at least 20,000 people, according to the United Nations, with thousands of residents from Mocha and its surroundings in the south of Hodeidah province fleeing to the government seat in Aden (south).