Yemeni government forces advance against Houthis near Bab el-Mandeb Strait

AFP: Agence France-Presse (AFP) is a major global news agency headquartered in France that provides wire service reporting on international events. It serves as the primary source for the military updates in this story, citing sources from both sides of the conflict. The agency's coverage highlights the competing claims from Yemeni government military sources and Houthi statements regarding the advances near the strait. Houthis: The Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, are an Iran-backed rebel group controlling significant portions of Yemen, including recent gains along the Red Sea coastline. They have engaged in clashes with government forces and claimed to have repelled recent assaults in the Bab el-Mandeb area. In the news, the group acknowledged the government offensive but stated it successfully drove back the advancing troops. Yemeni government forces: The Yemeni government forces represent the military of Yemen's internationally recognized government, which is engaged in ongoing conflict with Houthi rebels along the country's western coast. Backed by Saudi air power, they launched a major operation in early October 2026 to recapture territory seized by the Houthis in September. In the current news, these forces are reported advancing near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait but have not yet secured full control of the waterway or nearby islands. Regional Backing: Saudi Arabia continues to provide air support to Yemeni government operations against the Houthis as part of the broader effort to retake western coastal territories. Conflict Escalation: After four years of relative calm following a 2022 truce, Yemen's civil war has reignited with a major government counter-offensive supported by Saudi air power. Strategic Contestation: Control over areas around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait remains disputed, with government forces pressing advances while Houthi forces retain positions on key islands in the waterway.