🔻Reuters: Houthi rebels have advanced to within 80 kilometers of Aden

Four military sources told Reuters that the Houthis, as they continued their military operations, have reached a point 80 kilometers away from Aden, the temporary and most important recognized base of the Yemeni government.

This is the closest the Houthis have been to Aden since the first months of the war in 2015; at that time, they entered the city for a short period, but government forces pushed them back.

According to Reuters, on Monday fighting between the Houthis and government forces continued around a military camp at the entrance to the “Tur al-Baḥa” area. The camp is located 50 kilometers from the city of Laḥj and 80 kilometers from Aden.

Military sources said the Houthis began an attack on government forces’ positions in the mountainous area of “al-Maqāṭira” three days ago and have now taken control of the entire area. Government forces also were forced to retreat toward Tur al-Baḥa.

This advance threatens the strategic communication route between Aden and the city of Taiz, which is under siege, and enables the Houthis to bypass government forces’ positions in the heights overlooking the Bab al-Mandab strait.

Recent attacks are part of a broader operation that the Houthis have launched since September. During this period, they have captured parts of the Red Sea coasts and areas around the Bab al-Mandab strait, one of the most important shipping passages in the world.

The Houthis’ advance continues as the group’s attacks against Saudi Arabia have increased and the Saudi-led coalition has also intensified airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen.

According to Reuters, the Houthis targeted Aden airport last Wednesday, and the city’s presidential palace was also targeted in October.

Meanwhile, the siege of Taiz, Yemen’s third-largest city, which has intensified since early October, has displaced more than 100,000 people and has led to shortages of food, fuel, and medicine.

The Yemen government’s information minister has not yet responded to Reuters’ request for comment on these advances.