Yemeni Forces Claim Control of Dhubab Near Bab al-Mandeb as Offensive Against Houthis Widens

Yemen's internationally recognised government says its forces have seized control of the Dhubab district and key positions near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a day after it announced a major military operation against the Iran-backed Houthis.

The claims were carried by state news agency Saba on Monday. Al Jazeera said it could not independently verify the battlefield reports.

What the army says happened

"Forces from the Homeland Shield Forces and the Giants Brigades carried out a large-scale military operation with air cover targeting Houthi militia positions and movements in several areas of the district," the Saudi-backed military said in a statement carried by Saba, according to Al Jazeera.

"During the operation they advanced and seized important positions – cutting off supply lines and roads leading to Bab al-Mandeb," an unnamed army source told the agency.

Reuters, citing military sources and state media, reported that government forces took control of large parts of Dhubab, which overlooks the strait. The Giants Brigades said its first contingents had arrived in the Bab al-Mandeb area, according to Reuters.

Armed forces spokesman Majed al-Nuzaily said on X that government forces had taken control of Bab al-Mandeb and that Dhubab Airport was now in their hands, Al Arabiya reported. He said hundreds of Houthi fighters were besieged in the Dhubab area and must surrender.

Operation 'Dawn of Yemen'

The advance came as Presidential Leadership Council chairman Rashad al-Alimi launched what he called Operation "Dawn of Yemen". Al Arabiya said the campaign aims to restore state institutions, retake the capital Sanaa and end the Houthi takeover.

"With God's help, the will of our people, the bravery of our armed forces and all military formations, and the support of our brothers and friends, Yemen will move toward a new dawn of freedom, peace and stability," al-Alimi said in a post on X.

Why the strait matters

Bab al-Mandeb connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and is a key route for global shipping. Its importance has grown as the Strait of Hormuz has stayed largely blocked since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on February 28.

In mid-September, the Houthis swept across parts of western Yemen, seizing the port city of Mocha and key islands in the strait, Al Jazeera reported. The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency has reported at least one attack a day in the Strait of Hormuz or the Gulf of Aden since October 2.

"Civilians remain caught up in the fragmented front line of this war, and the announcement of an expanded military operation leaves tens of thousands with the prospect of continued displacement and hunger as a humanitarian crisis takes hold," Al Jazeera's Michael Appel said.