Yemeni government forces reclaim Dhubab near Bab al-Mandeb amid strategic push

What happened

According to Yemen’s Saudi-backed internationally recognised military, forces including the Homeland Shield Forces and Giants Brigades have reclaimed the Dhubab district and key positions near the Bab al-Mandeb strait from Houthi control. This comes amid a declared large-scale military operation supported by an ongoing Saudi-led air campaign involving around 100 fighter jets, according to Saudi coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Maliki.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. The government statement, carried by Yemen's Saba news agency, reported the offensive involved cutting off supply routes to the Houthis and seized important positions, inflicting losses on Houthi fighters and damaging their equipment. The coalition claims to have secured air protection of the Bab al-Mandeb strait and destroyed hundreds of Houthi targets. These battlefield updates follow the government’s recent announcement of a strategic offensive on Sanaa, the Houthi-controlled capital.

Since mid-September, the Houthis had expanded control over western Yemen, including the port city of Mocha and islands in the Bab al-Mandeb strait, but anti-Houthi forces have since largely stabilised the front lines. The renewed government operation aims to retake areas still under Houthi control, as stated by Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council chair Rashad al-Alimi, who launched the broader military campaign.

Known from the source

• Yemen’s internationally recognised government forces claim to have reclaimed Dhubab district and key positions near Bab al-Mandeb from Houthi forces.
• The offensive included forces from Homeland Shield and Giants Brigades with air cover.
• Saudi-led coalition says it is supporting Yemeni forces with around 100 fighter jets providing air cover and has secured air protection of the Bab al-Mandeb strait.
• The government announced a strategic offensive on Sanaa, controlled by the Houthis.
• Front lines have stabilised recently after Houthi gains in western Yemen in mid-September.

What remains unclear

These developments occur amid high-level regional diplomatic efforts, with Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan meeting to discuss defence cooperation under the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement. Pakistani officials visiting Riyadh intend to address a proposal for political engagement with Iran-aligned Houthis, representing a potential alternative to military escalation.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Independent verification of Yemeni government’s claim to have reclaimed Dhubab and cut Houthi supply routes. Casualty figures and damage reported to Houthi forces remain unconfirmed by independent sources. Confirmation of the scale and precise targets of the Saudi-led air campaign supporting the offensive.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has kept this brief source-led and attributed. Claims should be read alongside the original source linked below.

Original source: Al Jazeera Yemen. Open the source.