Daniel Wolfram
Since the Houthi rebels gained ground in Yemen, Yemeni forces is trying to take back strategically important territory.
Yemeni troops have pushed into the strategic district of al-Waziiya in Taiz. Their main goal is to drive out Houthi fighters who seized nearby coastal areas last month.
The push forms part of a broader campaign called Dawn of Yemen. Announced on Sunday by Presidential Leadership Council chairman Rashad al-Alimi, the effort aims to reclaim all lands taken by the Iran-backed group since 2014.
Citing a military source, the army stated that “the armed forces have secured strategic hills overlooking the al-Mansoura area, amid a mass retreat by the Houthi militia.” According to Al Jazeera, Houthi commanders disputed the claim, insisting their fighters repelled the push.
A key port
The al-Waziiya district holds important tactical value. It sits west of Taiz and overlooks the Red Sea port of Mocha, which the Houthis captured during a swift offensive last month alongside areas near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
Al Jazeera journalist Yousef Mawry explained that “these are the mountains that the Houthis took control of prior to the takeover of the city of Mocha.”
Mawry added that “if the Yemeni government is serious about taking over the city of Mocha, they cannot do so unless they take over the region in the district of al-Waziiya.”
Strikes expand to Saudi Arabia
As ground fighting continues, cross-border strikes have escalated. Saudi Arabia intercepted a Houthi ballistic missile fired toward Khamis Mushait.
Coalition spokesperson Major-General Turki al-Maliki stated that “the coalition continues to neutralise the threat posed by ballistic and surface-to-surface missiles and to destroy their launch sources.”
Meanwhile, Saudi aviation officials reported three injuries and material damage after strikes hit airports in Jazan and Najran. Houthi forces claimed responsibility for those strikes.
Pakistan and Turkey have agreed to activate mutual defence measures with Saudi Arabia to deploy counter-forces rapidly.
Makkah Defence Alliance
The defence agreement between Pakistan, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia is called the Makkah Defence Alliance and is a newly formed coalition among the three countries, which was signed last August.
The agreement has already been activated since the pact states that an attack on one of the countries triggers a joint military response.
Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif said that the two countries have stationed troops in Saudi Arabia, but are currently maintaining “presence in theatre” during a support only campaign.
“Whatever assistance they require is being provided. But right now, the Turkish and Pakistani armies are playing a supportive role,” Asif told The Telegraph.
