Yemeni government forces have held their positions on the front lines around the besieged city of Taiz, repelling a fierce Houthi attack on the Al-Aqrud front southeast of the city with support from the Popular Resistance. Meanwhile, government forces recaptured military positions and strategic high ground east of Al-Hazm, the capital of Al-Jawf Governorate, in a battlefield development aimed at advancing toward the city. While government forces maintained their defenses in Taiz and made gains in Al-Jawf, the Houthis expanded their military operations toward Al-Maqatirah district in northern Lahj Governorate. Despite airstrikes and significant losses, the group seized the historic Al-Maqatirah Castle and advanced into key areas and high ground, including the Al-Nafaq area and positions overlooking the Hayjat Al-Abd mountain pass, following fierce clashes with government troops. According to local sources, government forces, supported by the Giants Brigades and Nation's Shield Forces, still control large parts of the district. They have repelled attacks and destroyed columns of Houthi reinforcements at the foot of the mountain pass and in the Wadi Souq Al-Rubou area. Government troops continue to launch counterattacks to recapture positions seized by the Houthis, while deploying additional reinforcements and tribal fighters to confront the group's advance. Clashes south and southeast of Taiz are concentrated on the Al-Aqrud and Kahlan fronts, as well as in Al-Dhabab west of the city. Government forces, backed by the Popular Resistance, repelled a fierce Houthi assault on the Al-Aqrud front amid continuing clashes and airstrikes targeting Houthi concentrations in these areas. On Sunday, airstrikes extended to areas in Dhamar and Hodeidah governorates, including Bajil district. Houthi positions in Hayjat Al-Abd and along the Al-Sahi road southwest of Taiz were also targeted as part of the air operations accompanying the ground battles. Meanwhile, the Houthi offensive remained concentrated on Al-Maqatirah district in northern Lahj, where the group seized the historic Al-Maqatirah Castle and advanced into Al-Nafaq and several elevated positions overlooking the Hayjat Al-Abd mountain pass. Strategic Importance of Al-Maqatirah These developments carry significant military implications because of the location of the Al-Maqatirah mountains and castle, which overlook the Hayjat Al-Abd and Al-Karbah roads, two vital routes connecting Taiz with southern Yemen. Control of the castle allows forces to monitor movements around these corridors and threaten traffic passing through them, raising concerns about further military restrictions on roads leading to Taiz and deepening the isolation of a city already suffering under a Houthi siege. The strategic importance of these heights extends beyond securing local roads. Controlling them opens the way for an advance toward Tur Al-Bahah district and provides an elevated vantage point overlooking Al-Anad military base in Lahj Governorate. Because of its mountainous location, Al-Maqatirah also serves as strategic depth for routes connecting to the western coast and the Bab Al-Mandab Strait. Control of its high ground would help secure lines of advance, reduce the risk of flanking maneuvers, and influence troop movements and supply routes across the area extending toward Ras Al-Arah, south of the Bab Al-Mandab Strait. Battlefield Gains in Al-Jawf In a parallel development, Yemen's armed forces, represented by the First Emergency Division, announced the recapture of military positions and strategic high ground east of Al-Hazm following fierce battles that forced Houthi fighters to flee their positions around the Duhaidha Mountains. The forces said they seized weapons and ammunition depots abandoned by the Houthis and destroyed military vehicles and armored combat vehicles. They added that dozens of Houthi fighters were killed or wounded in the clashes, while others were captured. On the administrative and military front, Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council issued two presidential decrees on Sunday appointing Major General Hussein Al-Ajji Ali Al-Awadhi as governor of Al-Bayda Governorate and Major General Ameen Ali Al-Akimi as governor of Al-Jawf Governorate. Al-Akimi was also appointed commander of the Al-Jawf Military Axis.
