Houthi Forces Advance Towards Taiz and Challenge Yemeni Government Forces

Houthi forces in Yemen, after fully capturing the Red Sea coasts, are aggressively advancing towards the western areas of Taiz. Since September 3, these forces have launched heavy attacks against the Yemeni government in the Al Hudaydah and Taiz regions, which connect vital geographical corridors.

Capture of Mocha and Retreat of Government Forces

After several days of initial resistance, government forces, including the National Resistance Forces, National Shield, and Giants Brigades, responded to a swift attack from the Houthis on Wednesday night, resulting in the capture of Mocha in one night. Following the capture of this city, government forces retreated towards Bab al-Mandab and Lahij province. The next morning, Houthi forces were advancing towards the Bab al-Mandab Strait and Meyyun Island, while government forces retreated towards the Ras al-Ara area in Lahij.

Read more: As'ad Dergham: Lebanon is waiting and the time to restrict weapons is in the hands of the government

Coordination Issues and Morale of Government Forces

During the battles in Al Hudaydah and Taiz, Houthi forces consistently maintained their offensive, while government forces were often in a defensive position. One fighter who participated in these battles acknowledged that government forces faced serious problems due to lack of coordination and weak leadership on the battlefield. He added, "We were divided into separate groups, and each group received orders from its own commander, which caused our dispersion on the battlefield."

This fighter also mentioned criticisms from the public, saying, "We were blamed for our retreat, while no one knows the reality of the battle." According to reports, since the beginning of these conflicts, more than 82,000 people have fled their homes and sought refuge in safer areas.

In response to the Houthi advances, the Yemeni armed forces announced that they would deploy all their air and ground capabilities to target Houthi movements. Additionally, the official spokesperson for the Yemeni army advised the public to avoid the Taiz-Mocha road.

Despite the Yemeni government's efforts to retake Mocha and its surrounding areas, the morale of pro-government forces who have retreated from the western coasts has been severely damaged. This could hinder the stopping of further Houthi advances in the near future. Political experts also point out that if the Houthis succeed in solidifying their position in Mocha and Bab al-Mandab, they will gain significant strategic dominance over Saudi Arabia, the United States, and international powers.

Read more: Babun, Turkey poses a greater threat to America than Iran! · The attack by Ansar Allah in Yemen on Saudi Arabia will continue