A Houthi offensive in western Taiz governorate, Yemen, has forced hundreds of families to flee camps and villages after attacks began early Thursday in Maqbanah, Mawzaa and Jabal Habashi districts. The fighting is near the main road linking Taiz city with the Red Sea coast.
The Houthis used missiles and drones before launching ground operations described as the fiercest in the area since 2022. Government forces say they have retaken some positions, while both sides have sent reinforcements and reported casualties.
A second flight for families displaced by war
Abdullah Saeed, 47, said he fled Maqbanah in 2022 and later settled with about 300 other families in al-Rahabah camp in Jabal Habashi. When fighting moved towards the camp this week, he left again and is now staying with relatives at another displacement camp.
Saeed said families from nearby camps and villages also fled. He described a lack of shelter and basic services and said his immediate hope was to return to al-Rahabah, where he had access to shelter and water.
Who is affected
- Families from al-Rahabah and neighbouring camps have sought shelter elsewhere, with displaced residents reporting urgent needs for housing and basic services.
- The fighting is taking place near a route used to move food and goods between Taiz and al-Makha on the Red Sea coast.
- The escalation involves government forces and the Houthis across several western Taiz fronts.
Competing claims over the western fronts
A pro-government fighter, Yahiya Lutf, said government forces had retaken several areas and claimed the Houthi advance had failed to cut the road between Taiz city and the coast. He said fighters from several military units were taking part and acknowledged casualties on both sides.
A Houthi source in Sanaa described the battle as part of an effort to “break the siege” on Yemen, but provided no further details. Houthi media outlets also did not publish details of the fighting.
Why the road matters
Yemeni journalist Odai al-Dokhaini said the Taiz–al-Makha route is a vital channel for transporting food and goods. He said isolating the Red Sea coast fronts could allow attacks on those positions individually.
The latest battles are part of a broader escalation in Yemen’s conflict. Since early August, the Houthis have launched missile, drone and ground attacks against government forces in several governorates, including Marib, Taiz, Hodeidah and al-Dhale. Government forces have also reported drone strikes against Houthi targets.
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