Yemeni government forces are close to ending the Houthi presence in most positions the group still holds in the Bab al-Mandeb region, coinciding with intensifying battles in Lahj governorate. There, the group has escalated its attacks on government force positions in the Al-Maqatirah district in an attempt to achieve a military breakthrough that would allow it to bypass toward Bab al-Mandeb and advance toward the Tur Al-Baha district. The Giants Brigades continue to pressure the remaining Houthi pockets in Bab al-Mandeb, as government forces and the Popular Resistance are engaged in escalating confrontations along the Taiz and Lahj fronts. The clashes come amid Houthi attempts to reclaim positions lost over the past few days and open new advance routes toward strategic areas overlooking the west coast. These developments were accompanied by decrees by Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council Rashad Al-Alimi, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, under which he reorganized the leadership of the Tur Al-Baha axis and the military command of the Taiz front. The development took place following setbacks at certain positions over the past weeks, and coincides with the political leadership's reaffirmation to press ahead with the Dawn of Yemen Operation until its declared goals are achieved. According to field sources, the Houthis only hold one main in the Bab al-Mandeb region, as well as a handful of hills where a limited number of fighters are positioned. The sources said government forces are close to establishing full control over these sites; however, the high density of mines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by the group is hindering the advance and poses a direct threat to the troops, requiring clearing operations before military objectives can be fully completed. Houthi pressure on Lahj The Houthis launched a violent pre-dawn attack on Tuesday against government positions on the Al-Maqatirah front north of Lahj governorate. Units from the National Resistance successfully repelled the assault for the second consecutive day, following a similar attack on Monday. Government forces targeted Houthi positions in the Sawalihah mountains of the Al-Nusayrah area with medium and heavy weapons, inflicting casualties and equipment losses. According to military information, forces managed to reclaim positions in the Al-Khazzan Al-Ahmar area on the Al-Nusayrah front and expel Houthi elements.
