On Friday, the Yemeni government forces' air force launched a series of strikes on positions along the western coast under an operation named "Kill Box," which includes the city of Mokha and its surroundings. This operation comes amid warnings for civilians to avoid main routes until further notice, coinciding with intensifying clashes with the Houthis and battles approaching Bab al-Mandab.
Yemeni Armed Forces spokesman Colonel Majid Abdullah Al-Nazili announced on the "X" platform that the decision is now in effect on the western coast, indicating that the specified area represents a main theater for ongoing military operations.
Al-Nazili urged civilians to avoid using the "Taiz - Mokha" and "Mokha - Dhubab" roads to ensure their safety amidst the military operations.
The airstrikes come amidst rapid changes in the field control map in Yemen, following escalated confrontations between government forces and the Houthis since early July, after years of relative calm on several fronts.
In recent days, Houthi forces have advanced in broad areas along the western coast, with reports of their control over the city of Mokha and its strategic Red Sea port, reaching areas close to the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
A government military official reported on Friday that the Houthis seized both Greater and Lesser Hanish Islands, which were previously under government control.
This follows reports of Houthi control over Mayun Island in the Bab al-Mandab Strait, thereby strengthening their military presence around one of the world's most critical maritime passages.
A senior military official from the Yemeni government described the retreat on the western front, saying, "Everything that was in our grasp on the western coast has fallen."
In contrast, government forces achieved progress in Al-Jawf province bordering Saudi Arabia, nearing Al-Hazm city, the provincial capital, while clashes continue on the Marib, Al-Bayda, and Al-Dhale fronts.
This escalation in Yemen coincides with new attacks on Saudi Arabia, as the Saudi Energy Ministry announced a precautionary halt on the "East-West" pipeline following hits in the Riyadh and Medina regions on Thursday.
The ministry reported injuries that required medical attention.
In a related development, "Reuters" cited informed sources that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman requested U.S. President Donald Trump for assistance against the Houthis following heightened threats in the Red Sea area.
According to the sources, Trump made at least two phone calls with the Saudi Crown Prince on Thursday.
They added that Washington informed Riyadh it is currently unprepared for direct military action but is willing to assist in sharing intelligence and target identification.
A U.S. official stated that the United States is focused on protecting its core national security interests, primarily ensuring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, while enabling regional partners to lead in addressing security challenges.
These developments place the Bab al-Mandab Strait and western coast at the center of a new phase in the Yemeni conflict, with government forces trying to halt Houthi advances and regain lost positions, amid increasing regional repercussions of the conflict resulting in attacks extending to Saudi Arabia and growing concerns over Red Sea navigation security.