Yemen Government Forces Seize Dhubab and Bab al‑Mandeb in New Offensive
Yemen’s internationally recognised government, backed by Saudi-led coalition air power, says it has regained control of Dhubab, Bab al‑Mandeb Strait, and surrounding sites after launching “Operation Dawn of Yemen.” Houthis dispute the claims.
The Lead
Yemeni government forces, backed by coalition air power, say they have seized strategic sites at Dhubab and the Bab al‑Mandeb Strait in a major offensive aimed at weakening Houthi control and restoring state authority.
Article Body
Yemeni government forces, supported by the Saudi‑led coalition, say they have seized the Dhubab district, key positions around the Bab al‑Mandeb Strait—including Dhubab Airport—and cut supply lines to Mokha, in what they describe as a decisive phase of “Operation Dawn of Yemen.” The operation is aimed at restoring state authority, retaking Sanaa and dismantling Houthi control along the vital Red Sea coast. This offensive is supported by continuous coalition air cover, including reports of up to 100 fighter jets involved in the effort.
Houthi‑aligned sources have flatly rejected the reports of these territorial losses, calling them “baseless.” While government and coalition spokespeople emphasize rapid coastal momentum, independent verification remains limited amid high fog of war and messaging contests.
The Bab al‑Mandeb Strait is a critical maritime chokepoint linking the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, integral to global shipping and energy transit. Claims of regained control raise the prospect of reduced Houthi leverage over shipping routes and distortions in maritime risk premiums. However, economic and navigational responses typically manifest only if on‑sea threats materialise or shipping patterns visibly shift.
What to watch now: whether ground forces can consolidate their gains, withstand potential Houthi counterattacks, and whether signals surface in maritime traffic–insurance pricing or routing that suggest real shifts in security dynamics.