Yemeni government forces redeploy from Bab al-Mandeb to defend Aden

Yemeni government-aligned forces say they are withdrawing from positions near the Bab al-Mandeb strait to reinforce Aden and neighbouring areas against a possible Houthi advance. The redeployment could weaken the government’s recent counteroffensive and shift control of territory along a key shipping route.

The forces are leaving Dhubab airport and nearby areas, while additional troops are to be sent to try to ease the Houthi siege of Taiz. The city has about half of the 300,000 people displaced in Yemen since the 2022 ceasefire collapsed this summer, with aid blocked and civilians unable to leave. The Houthis took territory along the western coast in September; government forces retook Dhubab but did not capture Mocha. Separately, the International Committee of the Red Cross said the Houthis released 600 conflict-related prisoners with its support.