Al Jazara
روایت خاورمیانه 
The Houthis, having taken control of the western shores of Yemen, particularly the large and small islands of Hanish and Mayyun, are facing serious challenges in maintaining these areas. While military advances over the past two and a half months have altered the control map, securing and maintaining these areas requires significant resources and forces.
Military and Logistical Challenges for the Houthis
According to Saeed Thabet, head of the news office in Yemen, the geographical advances of the Houthis are accompanied by immediate structural vulnerabilities. He stated: "We are talking about an area that spans from Hudaydah to Mocha and Bab al-Mandab, and securing this area requires a large number of forces and continuous supply." These geographical difficulties have also been emphasized by Ahmed al-Shalafi, editor of Yemen affairs, who noted that this area is very vast for warfare.
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Retaliatory Attacks by the Yemeni Government
In response to Houthi dominance, Yemeni government forces, supported by Saudi Arabia, have carried out a series of retaliatory attacks. Recently, government forces reported that they destroyed a Houthi military convoy in the Al-Waziyeh front and engaged them in the outskirts of Al-Mudaraba in Lahij province. At the same time, government forces have attacked Houthi positions in Dhubab and Al-Khawkhah. Thabet stated: "Government forces are able to reorganize their ranks and launch counterattacks, benefiting from air cover and familiarity with the area."
Some analysts believe that the Yemeni government has changed its operational strategies and is specifically focusing on the Mocha and Bab al-Mandab areas. In response to these pressures, the Houthis have attempted to relieve pressure from the western shores and intensify their attacks on Marib and Lahij.
Lahij province serves as the main northern and western gateway to the temporary capital of the government, Aden, and the historic Al-Anad airbase is located 60 kilometers away. However, maintaining these newly captured coastal areas requires more than just military deployment. Thabet pointed out that the Houthis do not have the social and security influence they have gained in their northern areas in these regions and may face local resistance.
International Concerns and Economic Consequences
The Houthi advances along the coasts have raised international concerns. The Bab al-Mandab Strait is recognized as a vital waterway for global energy transportation, and the presence of the Houthis in this area could have serious implications for maritime security and the global economy. Thabet warned that Houthi movements near this maritime corridor could lead to broader military reactions.
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