Yemen's National Defense Council has warned of a significant escalation in the conflict, as Houthi militias use Iranian air defense systems, cruise missiles, and advanced military technologies. This development expands the threat to Yemen's and the region's air traffic, putting civilian flights and humanitarian aid missions at risk. The Council called for an international response to prevent the flow of arms and technologies to the Houthis.
The Defense Council emphasized that the Yemeni armed forces will continue to fulfill their constitutional and legal duties to protect citizens, deter threats, and achieve the Yemeni people's aspirations for restoring state institutions and sovereignty over the entire national territory. The Council welcomed regional and international support for the Yemeni government and its national institutions.
The Council also welcomed statements from the UN Security Council, which condemn Houthi terrorism, affirm Yemen's sovereignty, and stress the need to implement relevant Security Council resolutions, particularly Resolution 2216. The Council emphasized that protecting civilians remains a constant commitment of the state and its armed forces.
According to Eyad Al-Mousmi, a reporter for Al-Qahera News in Aden, the situation on the ground indicates that the escalation has entered a broader phase, with intense fighting in the Taiz-Lahj axis and Bab al-Mandab, alongside ongoing pressure in Marib and Al-Jawf. The fronts in Taiz and Lahj are the hottest, with fierce clashes reported in areas between western Taiz and northern Lahj.
Al-Mousmi reported that government forces have repelled Houthi advances and infiltration attempts in several areas, including Jabal Habshi, Al-Kadkah, and Al-Rabiei. The government forces in Lahj stated that they thwarted a Houthi infiltration attempt in Al-Mudaraba and Ras Al-Arra. Government sources reported that seven airstrikes targeted Houthi sites in Al-Aghbera over the past few hours.
The airstrikes aim to hinder or repel the Houthi mobilization towards the coast, Bab al-Mandab, and the Lahj front. Reports indicate that the Houthis are expanding their mobilization efforts, pushing significant reinforcements to areas near the coastal strip, including Kahbob and other regions. Tensions between government forces and the Houthis have escalated since July.
The conflict has intensified, particularly since the Houthis launched a large-scale attack on September 3, seizing control of Bab al-Mandab and other areas on the Red Sea coast. The Yemeni government's response and international reactions will be crucial in determining the course of the conflict.
Key points
- The Houthi use of Iranian air defense systems and cruise missiles poses a significant threat to civilian flights and humanitarian aid missions in Yemen.
- The Yemeni government has received support from regional and international actors, including the UN Security Council, in its efforts to counter Houthi terrorism.
- The conflict in Yemen has escalated significantly since July, with intense fighting reported in several areas, including Taiz, Lahj, and Marib.
