Fierce clashes between Iran-backed Houthi forces and Saudi-backed fighters intensified on Sunday as the Houthis sought to extend their control in southwestern Yemen, officials on the ground reported. The fighting marks an escalation in the ongoing conflict that reignited in July following months of relative calm.
Battles were reported in the mountainous areas of al-Wazi’yah, al-Madaribah, and al-Arah, crucial territories southwest of Yemen. Abdul Basit al-Baher, an officer with Yemen’s Saudi-backed government, warned that if the Houthis succeed in capturing these areas, they could sever the link between the city of Taiz and the southern port city of Aden, potentially encircling Saudi-backed forces in Taiz.
Additional heavy fighting was noted around Kahbouh, a strategic mountainous region overlooking the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a vital international shipping route. The strait has gained importance for Saudi Arabia after Iran’s effective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf. Two Yemeni officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the ongoing clashes in this area.
In response to recent Houthi missile and drone strikes targeting Riyadh and Saudi oil facilities on Saturday, Maj. Gen. Turki al-Maliki, spokesman for the Saudi-led military coalition, stated that Saudi Arabia reserves the right to take “appropriate measures” without providing further specifics. Saudi authorities have not publicly addressed recent airstrikes in Yemen nor the Houthi claim of downing a Saudi fighter jet last week.
The conflict raises questions about the possible scope of U.S. involvement, as Saudi Arabia’s powerful ally weighs whether to increase military support or intervene more directly. The kingdom has voiced reluctance to confront the Houthis alone, particularly after the previous campaign against the militia became a protracted conflict, costing hundreds of thousands of Yemeni lives, straining Saudi finances, and damaging its international standing.
Reports indicate that President Donald Trump declined a recent appeal by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for additional U.S. military assistance. Amid this backdrop, the Houthis have expanded their hold on Yemen’s Red Sea coastline, bolstering their influence over the critical maritime corridor.
Analysts describe the Houthis’ strategy as a dual approach combining military advances with an ideological narrative. April Alley, a Yemen expert, noted that the group portrays itself as a Yemeni nationalist force seeking to expel Saudi influence, while simultaneously pushing to consolidate territorial gains in Taiz and Marib governorates.
The conflict has roots dating back to 2014, when the Houthis seized the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, prompting a Saudi-led intervention aimed at restoring the internationally recognized government. A fragile truce reached in 2022 collapsed following the U.S.-Israeli confrontation with Iran, reigniting hostilities after the Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of bombing Sanaa’s airport. The Saudi-backed government attributed the strike to an effort to thwart an Iranian aircraft landing.
The Houthis subsequently declared a blockade of Saudi shipping in the Red Sea, further escalating tensions. Yemen remains divided, with the Houthis controlling much of the north and the Saudi-supported government holding limited authority in the south. The militia increasingly asserts itself as the legitimate government of Yemen.
Last week, Houthi political official Mohammed al-Bukhaiti reiterated the group’s commitment to reclaim all Yemeni territory, dismissing the Saudi-backed government as composed of “Saudi mercenaries.” The ongoing conflict shows little sign of abating as both sides continue to jockey for control over strategic locations and critical trade routes.