Yemeni Government Forces Launch Operation to Retake Al-Waziiya District

Yemeni government-backed forces have launched an operation to capture the strategic mountainous district of al-Waziiya in Taiz governorate from Houthi control as part of their push to retake the Red Sea coast and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

The offensive on al-Waziiya came as Saudi Arabia intercepted a Houthi ballistic missile targeting the city of Khamis Mushait, highlighting the ongoing conflict between the two sides. The interception was one of several victories claimed by both forces in recent days, with the Houthis also reporting successes against the government's allies.

The operation to retake al-Waziiya is part of a wider campaign announced by Rashad al-Alimi, chairman of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, as "Dawn of Yemen aimed at recapturing all remaining Houthi-held territory. This includes the capital city Sanaa, which has been under Houthi control since 2014.

The operation to retake al-Waziiya was initiated by the Homeland Shield Forces, a pro-government military faction, according to a statement from Yemen's army media centre on X. The forces have reportedly secured strategic hills overlooking the al-Mansoura area as part of their offensive against the Houthi militia.

The Yemeni government's claim that its forces have secured strategic hills overlooking the al-Mansoura area has been met with denial by Houthi rebels, who say they successfully repelled the advance in al-Waziiya.

Located west of Taiz and east of the Red Sea port city of Mocha, the mountainous district of al-Waziiya is a crucial location that would allow government forces to regain control over Mocha and areas surrounding the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. The Houthis had previously seized these strategic areas in a swift offensive last month.

Al Jazeera's correspondent Yousef Mawry reported from Sanaa, noting that the mountains of al-Waziiya were taken by Houthi forces before they captured Mocha city. He added that government forces would need to secure this region if they are serious about retaking control over Mocha.

Meanwhile, the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen announced it had intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched towards the southwestern city of Khamis Mushait by Houthi rebels.

The Saudi-led coalition's military campaign in Yemen has gained momentum as it joins forces with the Yemeni government to retake Houthi-held territory. The coalition confirmed that 100 of its fighter jets are providing air support for the offensive.

Saudi airports near the Yemen border have come under attack, with King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz airport in Jazan and Najran airport hit by the Houthi rebels. According to reports, three people were wounded in these attacks, suffering varying degrees of injury.

The escalation of violence comes as Pakistan and Turkiye agree to activate deterrence measures" under their mutual defence pact with Saudi Arabia, rapidly deploying forces to counter Houthi attacks.