Yemeni government forces, backed by Western powers, have announced their withdrawal from several areas near the Bab al-Mandab Strait. This move is being viewed as a significant setback for the Saudi-led military campaign against the Houthis, reports Al Jazeera.
An armed group allied with the Yemeni government stated that its fighters have pulled back from coastal areas along the Bab al-Mandab Strait in the face of persistent Houthi attacks.
The group, known as the “Southern Armed Forces,” indicated that it will now focus on securing Aden—a key city in southern Yemen—while also working to break the Houthi siege on the city of Taiz. Aden remains under the control of the internationally recognized Yemeni government.
The announcement of the government forces’ retreat on Sunday has raised concerns about a potential new Houthi advance toward Aden. It also highlights the ongoing challenges Saudi Arabia faces in countering Houthi drone and missile attacks.
Since the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, in 2015, the internationally recognized government has used the southern coastal city of Aden as its administrative base.
