# Saudi-Backed Forces in Yemen Retreat From Red Sea as Houthis Advance

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/saudi-backed-forces-in-yemen-retreat-from-red-sea-as-houthis-advance/
- Published: 2026-11-15T15:42:25+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-15T16:22:35+00:00
- Original publisher: New York Times (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/11/15/world/middleeast/saudi-houthis-yemen-red-sea.html
- Topics: Government, Middle East, Politics, World

## Key points

- Saudi-backed forces are leaving Yemen’s Red Sea coast.
- Houthi advances have prevented the government from retaking Bab al-Mandab.
- The forces say they will defend Aden and help relieve Taiz.

## Summary

Saudi-backed forces in Yemen said they were withdrawing from the Red Sea coast to defend Aden, a move that signals a setback for the internationally recognised government as Houthi forces advance. Analysts say the retreat reflects the Houthis’ growing advantage in the civil war and the government’s failure to retake territory near a crucial shipping route.

The Southern Armed Forces said redeploying would also help them try to break the Houthi siege of Taiz, which has restricted food, fuel and water supplies for more than a month. The Houthis took the port city of Mokha and land beside the Bab al-Mandab Strait in September, after renewed fighting began in July; government counter-offensives have made limited gains. Yemen’s 2022 truce did not lead to a lasting peace, and the country remains divided between Houthi rule in much of the north and a government whose southern and eastern areas are controlled by various armed groups.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.