The Yemeni government forces announced on Sunday, November 15, that they are withdrawing troops from areas near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. This strategic move aims to concentrate their efforts on securing their main base in Aden. The withdrawal will allow the Iran-backed Houthi militia to regain control, representing a significant setback for Saudi Arabia.
In a statement released by the primary military force fighting for the Yemeni government in the southern region, the Southern Armed Forces declared, “Our operations are undergoing redeployment, withdrawing troops from Dhubab Airport in the western part of Taiz Governorate and the Bab el-Mandeb region.”
The statement further explained that this decision was taken with the priority of ensuring the safety of the capital, Aden, and the neighboring provinces, while also reinforcing the front lines to address existing threats.
The Yemeni government’s retreat from the Bab el-Mandeb Strait will provide the Houthi militia with a greater advantage in this vital maritime chokepoint. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, and amid Iran’s ongoing interference in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, if the Houthis secure control over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait as well, it would further sever maritime supply lines for oil-producing countries in the Gulf and place increased pressure on global shipping routes.
Since the escalation of the Yemen civil war in 2022, the conflict had entered a dormant phase but has recently reignited. In September, the Houthi rebels launched a swift offensive, seizing coastal territories near the entrance to the Red Sea from government forces and capturing the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, while simultaneously encircling government troops stationed in Taiz, the country’s third largest city.
With Saudi support, Yemeni government forces initiated a counter-offensive in October, quickly reclaiming important positions near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, particularly Dhubab. However, they were unable to completely drive the Houthi militia out of the area. In response, the Houthis intensified their drone and missile attacks against Saudi Arabia, targeting major airports and causing flight cancellations, while also launching assaults on energy facilities.
The statement released on Sunday signifies that the Yemeni government’s military operations aimed at reclaiming this region appear to have reached a conclusion. This development is likely to heighten tensions in the global energy market even further.
This report is informed by information from various sources.