Yemeni Government Forces Repel Houthi Offensive in Taiz Despite Coastal Defeats

Yemeni government forces have successfully maintained their positions along frontlines in the Taiz governorate, repelling intense assaults launched by Houthi rebels on Thursday. The attacks represent the Iran-aligned group’s attempt to consolidate gains made during a rapid offensive last month that seized control of Yemen’s Red Sea coastline. While the Houthis have made territorial strides, government fighters report inflicting significant casualties and equipment losses on the attackers.

Despite calls from Rashad al-Alimi, head of the Presidential Leadership Council, for a general mobilization on September 25, the Saudi-backed administration does not appear poised to launch an immediate large-scale counteroffensive. Instead, officials are pursuing a gradual strategy focused on strengthening military cohesion and expanding ranks. Abdul Basir al-Bahr, a senior official with the Taiz Military Axis, confirmed that plans are underway to reintegrate reserve personnel and train them alongside local fighters and civilian volunteers, though he cautioned that these measures are in their infancy and their tactical impact remains unproven.

Observations from Al Jazeera indicate that fighting has persisted since early September without major shifts directly attributable to the mobilization decree. Similar patterns are visible in the Kahboub Mountains, which overlook the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, and in the Lahj region to the south of Taiz. Field commanders noted that the mobilization has not yet resulted in fresh reinforcements reaching the front lines.

Nevertheless, military activity has escalated significantly. Colonel Majid al-Nazili, spokesperson for the government’s military forces, stated that loyalist troops executed more than 400 strikes within a 24-hour period against Houthi targets, resulting in substantial losses for the rebels. The government has increasingly utilized air power, employing drones, aircraft, and artillery to target Houthi positions and supply routes.

Military analysts suggest the government’s ability to halt further Houthi advances stems from favorable defensive terrain in the mountainous areas of Taiz and Lahj, combined with enhanced firepower. The initial collapse of the coastline was largely attributed to poor coordination among anti-Houthi factions, which were officially unified under a single command structure but operated in a fragmented manner. In contrast, forces in Taiz, Lahj, and the northern province of Marib have demonstrated greater unity and years of experience in stopping Houthi movements.

The Houthis now face the challenge of securing the high ground overlooking critical waterways and inland roads to legitimize their coastal captures. These efforts have thus far failed, and the expanded territory has imposed heavier logistical and manpower burdens on the rebels. The conflict has largely devolved into a struggle for control of roads and supply lines, with neither side capable of replicating the swift breakthroughs witnessed during the recent Red Sea campaign.