Saudi-backed government forces have launched a counteroffensive along Yemen’s southwestern coast, reversing recent Houthi territorial gains, while the Houthis simultaneously increased military pressure around the city of Taiz, Iran International reported. The coastal reversal coincides with the activation of the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement by Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan to accelerate military deployments to the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan activate Mecca Joint Defense Agreement
Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan have moved to implement their joint-defense commitments following an emergency meeting in Riyadh. The three nations stated that the security of each member state is an integral part of their collective security and that the deployment of agreed military forces and capabilities will strengthen deterrence.
Fatima Abo Alasrar, a Yemeni scholar and founder of Ideology Machine, told Iran International that this activation serves as a deterrent signal. According to Abo Alasrar, the agreement indicates that Riyadh is prepared to absorb the risk of Houthi drone and ballistic missile retaliation rather than allowing those threats to limit the counteroffensive. She noted that this changes the strategic calculation for the Houthis, who may have hoped to pressure Saudi Arabia into granting concessions.
Houthi gains reversed on the southwestern coast
The recent counteroffensive has reclaimed territory the Houthis captured during a September advance. Thomas Juneau, a Yemen expert and non-resident fellow at the Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies, told Iran International that southwestern Yemen is flat and exposed, offering few natural defensive advantages. Juneau noted that Houthi supply lines in this region were increasingly stretched, making the territory difficult to defend.
Abo Alasrar stated that the September push had backing from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and succeeded because Saudi-backed forces were poorly coordinated. She argued that the rapid reversal of these gains dismantles the “myth of Houthi invincibility.”
Houthis increase pressure around Taiz and Hodeidah
While losing ground in the southwest, the Houthis are intensifying operations around Taiz, one of Yemen’s largest and most densely populated cities. This shift moves the battlefield from exposed coastlines to population centers, which Abo Alasrar says allows the Houthis to inflict more significant damage through a war of attrition. Iranian media outlet Tasnim has closely tracked these advances in Taiz.
The strategic importance of the coast remains centered on Hodeidah. The Saudi-led coalition reported that its naval forces struck Houthi military infrastructure in the Hodeidah governorate, targeting weapons storage, sea mines, and facilities for explosive-laden boats. Abo Alasrar noted that the Houthis do not need to physically control the Bab al-Mandab strait to pressure maritime traffic, as the threat of attack alone increases shipping and insurance costs.
Iran’s strategic position and the “Long Game”
The conflict in Yemen remains intertwined with the broader confrontation between Iran and its regional rivals. Mohammed al-Basha, founder of the Basha Report, told Iran International that while the two conflicts are interconnected, the war in Yemen is shaped by distinct domestic political and tribal dynamics. He stated that ending a confrontation in the Strait of Hormuz would not, by itself, end the war in Yemen.
Internal divisions hinder government advances
Despite recent coastal successes, the anti-Houthi camp remains fragmented. Juneau stated that rivalries among the government-backed forces have repeatedly undermined the establishment of a united front.
Yemen Conflict Strategic Summary
| Front/Factor | Current Status | Strategic Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Southwestern Coast | Government gains | Reversal of September Houthi push; low defensive value. |
| Taiz | Houthi pressure | Shift toward urban warfare and attrition. |
| Hodeidah | Houthi control/Coalition strikes | Critical for Red Sea maritime leverage. |
| Coalition | Mecca Agreement active | Increased Saudi deterrence via Turkey and Pakistan. |
Common questions about the Yemen counteroffensive
Does the loss of the southwestern coast stop Houthi attacks on shipping?
No. According to Thomas Juneau, the Houthis remain close enough to threaten Red Sea shipping with drones and missiles even if pushed further from Bab al-Mandab. Fatima Abo Alasrar added that the mere possibility of attacks allows them to keep insurance and shipping costs high.
What is the purpose of the Mecca Joint Defense Agreement?
The agreement between Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Pakistan is designed to strengthen collective security and deterrence. It allows for the expedited deployment of military forces and capabilities to Saudi Arabia to protect member states.
Why is the city of Taiz a critical battlefield?
Unlike the flat southwestern coast, Taiz is a densely populated urban center. Analysts suggest the Houthis use these population centers to inflict higher costs on their opponents and engage in a prolonged war of attrition.
Whether the government forces can translate these coastal gains into a sustained campaign or if the Houthis can secure a decisive advantage in Taiz remains unknown.
Keep reading