Exchange of Fire Between Yemeni Government Forces and Houthis Continues in Taiz and Lahij

The exchange of fire between Yemeni government forces and Houthi rebels continued on Monday, September 23, 2023, on various fronts. These clashes, despite the Houthis' advance towards the strategic Bab al-Mandab crossing, reflect each side's efforts to impose their priorities and change the control map of the operational scene in the recent military developments in Yemen.

Houthis' Efforts to Maintain Captured Areas

The Houthis are currently facing a significant challenge in maintaining and controlling the captured areas, especially in the western part of Taiz province, such as the al-Waziyah district, which has previously experienced prolonged clashes without reaching a clear outcome. According to local sources, as government forces enter some areas of Taiz province, the Houthis are dispatching new reinforcements to fronts such as the districts of Khadir, al-Salu, al-Shuqab, Sami, al-Waziyah, and Ta'ziyah.

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Yemeni Government Strategies to Change the Course of Clashes

The Yemeni government is trying to change the operational scene and aims to cut off Houthi supplies and besiege them in the declared "killing zone" through an attack from the west of Taiz province. This action signifies an effort to reclaim lost areas and reduce the Houthis' capabilities on the Taiz front. Military experts believe that the Houthis will not be able to maintain newly captured areas near Bab al-Mandab without capturing Taiz province.

The Yemeni air forces have also conducted multiple attacks on the Hailan and Kasara heights in Marib province. These attacks are an effort to pressure the Houthis near Yemen's capital, Sana'a, and prevent the concentration of all their forces on the Taiz front. In fact, Marib could be the closest point to Sana'a, and any significant development in this area could pose a serious threat to the Houthis.

Last Thursday, the Houthis took control of the al-Mokha port and the areas of Hays and Khokha. This advance has increased their ability to threaten shipping in one of the world's most important maritime routes. Meanwhile, the Houthi attack on Taiz province and al-Mokha port has been carried out at the request of the Islamic Republic to destabilize the Bab al-Mandab Strait and has ended the ceasefire between the Houthis and their opponents.

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