Houthi offensive targets Aden approach as Saudi coalition downes drone

Yemeni government forces and Houthi militias fought intense battles on Friday in the mountains near Aden, a engagement that has killed and wounded dozens of combatants. The Saudi-led coalition simultaneously reported intercepting a Houthi drone over the Makkah region on the same day.

Three key developments define the current military and diplomatic situation. First, Houthi forces launched a large-scale ground attack in Al-Maqatra district, located in Lahj governorate. Sources in Yemen told Al-Ain News that the militias aimed to seize the Al-Muqatara Tunnel area and the nearby mountain fortress. Their objective was to reach the Al-Rubu’ market in the Heijah Al-Abd valley, which sits on the main road connecting Taiz and Aden.

Second, the fighting extended to the Haifan front, where Houthi units attempted to capture Mount An’an. This peak overlooks significant terrain between Haifan and Al-Maqatirah. Al-Ain News reported that warplanes conducted a series of raids on Houthi positions to counter the advance. The conflict in this specific area is roughly 40 to 50 miles from Aden, the primary base for Yemen's internationally recognized government.

Third, the Houthis continue to target Saudi Arabia from Yemen. Arab News reported that the coalition intercepted and destroyed a drone launched by the militia in the Makkah region. The report noted that the Iran-backed group has targeted airports, energy infrastructure, and cities across the Kingdom with drones and missiles for several weeks.

The Houthi movement, also known as Ansar Allah, originated in northern Yemen's Zaydi Shi'ite community. They seized the capital, Sanaa, in 2014 and advanced south in early 2015, forcing the recognized government to flee. Saudi Arabia intervened in March 2015 to restore the government, but the war failed to defeat the Houthis. Iran's support allowed the group to develop sophisticated ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones.

Since the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, the Houthis have launched missiles and drones at Israel and attacked commercial shipping in the Red Sea. The conflict escalated in July 2026 when the Houthis renewed attacks on Saudi targets and shipping. In September, Houthi forces captured Mocha and reached the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a vital route for international trade.

The Houthis are currently laying siege to Taiz, Yemen's third-largest city. They seized the road connecting Taiz to Aden in early October, cutting off more than 800,000 people from essential supplies. The World Food Programme states that approximately three-quarters of the affected population rely on humanitarian assistance. The Houthis are holding 71 United Nations staff members, which severely restricts the organization's operations in their controlled areas. Shirin Yaseen, an associate spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, told Arab News that these actions make the delivery of humanitarian aid untenable at this time.