The Yemeni government suffered a significant blow earlier this month when it lost the country’s Red Sea coast to the Houthi rebels. It is now working on a two-pronged strategy, militarily and diplomatically, to restore the initiative and prevent the Houthis from consolidating their gains and pushing further into government-held territory. Saudi-backed government forces claimed on Tuesday to have seized the strategic Mount Qarafan in southern Taiz’s al-Shamayatayn district.
The military reported killing five Iranian-allied Houthi fighters and injuring 20 others during the operation. Pro-government Homeland Shield Forces, also known as the Quwat Dira’ al-Watan in Arabic, also thwarted a Houthi infiltration attempt on the Kahboub front, which overlooks the strategic Bab al-Mandeb strait. Government forces also reported the capture of Mount Zalat, near Kahboub, on Tuesday.
The battles in the mountainous regions of southwestern Yemen are critical because of the commanding positions the peaks being fought over provide. Qarafan overlooks valleys linking southern Taiz with western coastal areas, as the Houthis attempt to encircle government-held areas in the governorate. Kahboub, meanwhile, is significant because Houthi forces have been attempting to secure the high ground overlooking Bab al-Mandab to prevent a government counterattack and expand the territory under their control.
The Houthis, meanwhile, have claimed Saudi Arabia has conducted air strikes in Taiz, al-Jawf, and Marib. Riyadh has not confirmed the strikes. The humanitarian toll is mounting, with recent hostilities displacing approximately 132,000 people, including 75,000 in Taiz alone, according to the International Organization for Migration.
Meanwhile, at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Yemeni government officials are attempting to rally support for their push against the Houthis. Presidential Leadership Council member Abdullah al-Alimi is leading Yemen’s delegation and will address the General Assembly later this week, but has already met US politicians. Foreign Minister Afrah al-Zouba is also attending the world gathering, and called for the disarmament of non-state armed groups at a meeting on the General Assembly’s sidelines.
Other world leaders have included references to events in Yemen in their own addresses to the General Assembly. Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani addressed the assembly, reaffirming support for UN efforts to reach a comprehensive political resolution. He emphasised that any settlement must be based on the outcomes of Yemen’s 2013-14 UN-facilitated national dialogue, in a manner that preserves Yemen’s unity, sovereignty, security, and stability.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
