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Houthis battle for strategic heights in Yemen as thousands more flee homes
Al Jazeera • • nation
Key Points:
- Fighting between Houthi rebels and Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces continues near the Red Sea, focusing on strategic mountains in Taiz and Lahj provinces that overlook key maritime routes.
- The conflict has resulted in at least 674 deaths and displaced over 158,000 people since early August, with significant civilian casualties reported in recent airstrikes.
- US President Donald Trump reportedly ordered but then called off air attacks against the Houthis, reflecting US reluctance to escalate military involvement despite pressure from Saudi Arabia.
- Houthi leader Abdel-Malik al-Houthi warned the US against direct intervention and urged Pakistan and Turkey not to join the conflict, highlighting regional tensions linked to broader US-Israel-Iran hostilities.
- The ongoing hostilities are exacerbating Yemen’s humanitarian crisis, with millions facing acute food shortages due to disrupted imports and damaged infrastructure, prompting UN warnings about further deterioration.
