Latest News on the Yemen War and the Government Claims to Have Reclaimed Important Territory

The war in Yemen has entered a new phase of conflict, after the internationally recognized Yemeni government forces, supported by Saudi Arabia, began military operations aimed at regaining large territories held by the Houthis.

These operations are particularly taking place along the Red Sea coast, in the Taiz region, and around the strategically important Bab al-Mandab strait, with the Yemeni government stating that its forces and supporting troops have captured the city of Mocha, the city of Dhubab, and several key locations near Bab al-Mandab.

The forces also reported that they have taken control of the Al-Manzara, Al-Ashari, and Dhiban mountains in the Haifan area, south of Taiz.

This new operation, which the government has named “Yemen's Dawn,” aims to reclaim all the territory held by the Houthis, including the capital Sana'a, which the group has controlled since 2014.

The government forces stated that their military progress is receiving strong aerial support from Saudi Arabia. According to sources within the Yemeni government speaking to Reuters, the forces reached the outskirts of the city of Mocha on Tuesday, while Houthi fighters retreated towards the mountainous terrain.

The Yemeni Ministry of Defense later announced that Mocha has come under government control.

However, the Houthis denied the government's claims, stating that they still hold the areas previously captured from opposing forces, and that reports of government successes are inaccurate.

The city of Mocha is particularly important to both sides, as it is located on the coast of the Red Sea and is close to Bab al-Mandab, a crucial waterway for global trade and shipping.

A former advisor to the United Nations Security Council stated that the government's military forces' ability to hold Mocha will be a significant indicator of the direction the conflict may take.

The fighting has also spread to the northern shores of the Red Sea, particularly in the Hodeidah region, which the Houthis have controlled since 2014.

The Saudi-led coalition has stated that its naval forces have attacked sites it described as military targets belonging to the Houthis, including arms depots and locations used to store explosive-laden boats and naval mines.

The coalition claimed that these operations prevented an attack planned on the waterways of southern Red Sea; likewise, the Houthis have also stated that they are launching attacks against the forces and locations they consider enemy targets.

Media affiliated with the group reported that the Houthis have launched missiles and drones at several locations inside Saudi Arabia, including King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, an Aramco facility in Rabigh, Abha Airport, and the military base in Khamis Mushait.

} Saudi Arabia has not commented on all those allegations, but the Saudi Civil Aviation Authority has confirmed that two airports located in the south of the country, namely King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Jazan and Najran International Airport, were targeted in two attacks on Monday evening.

The escalation of the conflict is also worsening the humanitarian situation in Yemen, which has already been one of the world's major crises.

The United Nations Migration Agency has reported that more than 184,000 people have been displaced since the fighting resumed, while the World Health Organization has stated that at least 959 people have been killed in the new fighting, with more than 4,200 others injured.

WHO has warned that the new conflict is pushing Yemen's healthcare system into a very difficult situation, as hospitals and health services are already struggling with the devastation caused by the long-running war.

On the international front, the war in Yemen has also begun to affect regional relations and security cooperation, with Turkey and Pakistan reportedly agreeing to quickly send troops and military capabilities to Saudi Arabia, based on the Joint Defense Agreement of Makkah signed in August.

The agreement states that an armed attack against Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, or Turkey would be considered an attack against all three countries.

The United States, a key ally of Saudi Arabia, has also been reported to be providing Riyadh with intelligence support. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that Saudi Arabia and the Yemeni government have the right to defend themselves, as Yemeni government forces attempt to reclaim territory held by the Houthis.

The war in Yemen now appears to have entered a much stronger phase than before, with both sides trying to gain military superiority.

The city of Mocha, the Red Sea coast, and the Bab al-Mandab waterway could be crucial areas to determine the direction of the conflict, while the continuation of airstrikes and attacks from both sides may increase humanitarian casualties and concerns about the security of commercial shipping in the Red Sea.