The Yemeni Armed Forces announced on Thursday, September 24, 2026, that they had foiled a Houthi militia attempt to infiltrate through the areas of Ashbout and Najd al-Bard in the Al-Muqatra district of Lahj governorate, south of the country. The Houthis were trying to cut the only lifeline that connects Taiz governorate to the temporary capital, Aden.
According to a military source in the Taor Bahah axis, the Yemeni forces forced the Houthi militia to retreat and withdraw after inflicting heavy losses on them following violent clashes. The military source confirmed that the armed forces were able to secure the area and reopen the road to citizens and travelers after the threat had been neutralized.
The Houthi elements had attempted to infiltrate through the Hejah Al-Abd area from the direction of Akbush, aiming to target the vital road and position themselves in nearby locations in an attempt to cut off the road to travelers. The military axis confirmed that the Yemeni Armed Forces' warplanes carried out three airstrikes on Houthi enemy sites and fortifications in the Akbush and Al-Ahkoum fronts in the Haifan district, south of Taiz.
The Taor Bahah axis command reassured citizens and drivers that the Hejah Al-Abd road is safe and open, and there are no obstacles to traffic, confirming that trucks and cars are moving normally. The axis also confirmed that the road is secure and that there is no reason for concern.
The Houthi militia has been trying to cut off the "Hejah Al-Abd" road, the only outlet for supplies and basic materials to flow into Taiz governorate, in an attempt to impose a complete siege on the city and neighboring areas and isolate the governorate from the temporary capital, Aden.
The Al-Muqatra area is under the military control of national forces organized under the leadership of the "Taor Bahah axis", which extends its responsibility to the districts of Taor Bahah and Al-Muqatra in Lahj governorate and the Al-Shamayteen district administratively affiliated with Taiz governorate. This military axis is affiliated with the Fourth Military Region, and its command is located in Aden.
The foiled Houthi attempt to cut off the lifeline road has significant implications for the humanitarian situation in Taiz, which has been under siege for years. The city's residents have been facing severe shortages of food, medicine, and other essential supplies.
Key points
- The Yemeni army foiled a Houthi attempt to cut the only road connecting Taiz and Aden.
- The Houthi militia has been trying to impose a complete siege on Taiz and neighboring areas.
- The Taor Bahah axis command reassured citizens and drivers that the Hejah Al-Abd road is safe and open.
