Yemeni government forces recaptured the strategic Mount Numan in western Taiz province early Sunday as fierce fighting continued with the Iran-aligned Houthis along a chain of highlands southwest of the province. Government forces are seeking to prevent further Houthi advances toward mountains overlooking Bab al-Mandeb and the only remaining overland route linking Taiz city to Al-Turbah, then Lahj and Aden. Military and local sources reported that forces from the Taiz Axis Forces secured Mount Numan, west of Jabal Habashi, in the early hours of Sunday after clashes with the Houthis. Retaking the position reconnects the Bani Bakari and al-Kadha fronts and secures the Bani Bakari-Al-Ashruh-Al-Bireen road, they added. Control of the mountain leaves remaining Houthi positions in Al-Sharajah exposed to fire and gives government forces high ground in an area connected to routes leading toward the western coast. The advance comes as the Houthis seek to consolidate gains from their latest offensive along the western coast. The group seized Hays, al-Khokha and Mokha about 10 days ago before advancing to Bab al-Mandeb, Mayyun Island and several other Yemeni islands in the southern Red Sea, according to field reports from the area. Fighting in western and southwestern Taiz is concentrated on highlands controlling routes between the interior and the coast, particularly Rasn, Numan, Jardad, al-Kadha and Al-Wazi’iyah. The Houthis are seeking higher ground to protect recently captured coastal areas, secure supply lines and facilitate the southward movement of their forces. The front is particularly important for Taiz city. Field sources reported that the group is seeking to move closer to the road that still provides the city with an overland connection to Al-Turbah, Lahj and Aden, potentially allowing it to pressure the route and threaten one of the most important remaining lines of movement and supply for government forces and residents. In southwestern Taiz, government forces and allied tribesmen repelled heavy Houthi attacks in Al-Damdam, Sharirah and Al-Wazi’iyah, while other attempts to advance toward Mount Rasn failed, according to the sources. They noted that control lines around Mount Jardad in Bani Omar have remained unchanged since the failure of an initial Houthi assault. The group later sent reinforcements and launched an attack toward Rasn, but government forces and local fighters repelled it after hours of clashes. Houthis Seek to Secure Gains The battles are part of broader Houthi efforts to secure their newly established control over the western coast and Bab al-Mandeb by advancing from coastal areas toward the eastern highlands overlooking them. AFP reported Saturday, citing two Houthi military sources, that experts from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards had visited the Bab al-Mandeb area, Mokha port and airport, and the Jabal al-Nar camp east of the city. The sources reported that the experts oversaw tunnel excavation in hills overlooking Mokha and Bab al-Mandeb and discussed installing radars near Mokha and on Zuqar Island in the southern Red Sea. They arrived from Hodeidah and made separate visits Thursday and Friday, while Yemeni government sources told AFP that fighting had intensified around the Kahbub mountains overlooking Bab al-Mandeb. Mounting Casualties Military sources told AFP Saturday that at least 48 people were killed in 24 hours of fighting between government forces and the Houthis along the Taiz-Lahj border, including 17 government troops and 31 Houthi fighters, according to accounts from the two sides. The government-aligned Tur al-Bahah Military Axis also announced that 13 of its soldiers had been killed over the previous two days on fronts between Lahj and Taiz. The Houthis, meanwhile, held funerals Saturday for about 75 members, including around 25 who held senior military ranks, from 10 Yemeni provinces. Fighting also continued on other fronts. Giants Brigades forces targeted Houthi gatherings and vehicles on the Al-Bayda front, while government artillery struck Houthi positions and vehicles on the western front of Marib province. In Marib, air and ground strikes continued against Houthi concentrations at the Umm Rish camp and Aqabat Mala’a. Government forces reported foiling three infiltration attempts and repelling a Houthi attack, while military media reported that 12 members of the group were killed.
