Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 20
Houthis Battle for 3 Southwest Yemen Areas as Missile Strikes Deepen Saudi War
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 20

Houthis Battle for 3 Southwest Yemen Areas as Missile Strikes Deepen Saudi War

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 20

Summary

  • Fighting raged Sunday in al-Wazi’iyah, al-Madaribah and al-Arah, where Houthi forces are pressing Saudi-backed fighters in southwest Yemen.
  • Those battles could let the Houthis cut Taiz off from Aden and tighten a siege on Saudi-backed forces in the city, according to a Yemeni army officer.
  • The ground offensive follows Houthi claims Saturday that they fired missiles and drones at Riyadh and oil facilities in retaliation for hundreds of Saudi airstrikes inside Yemen.
  • Clashes have also spread around Kahboub, high ground overlooking the Bab al-Mandab Strait, underscoring risks to a shipping choke point that grew more important after Iran effectively blockaded Hormuz.

Insights

Beyond local skirmishes, is the sudden escalation in Yemen actually a calculated move to choke off the world's most vital maritime chokepoint?
With Houthis installing radar systems overlooking the Red Sea, are international shipping lanes about to face unprecedented military blockades?