Yemen forces claim gains near Bab el-Mandeb as Houthis deny retreat

Yemeni government forces said they had retaken Dhubab and positions near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait in an offensive against Houthi forces, while the Defense Ministry said the port city of Mocha had returned to government control. The Houthis denied losing their recent battlefield gains, and independent verification of the full territorial picture was not available. The government announced the campaign on October 5, saying it aimed to reverse Houthi advances along the western coast. Government and military officials said units including the Southern Giants Brigades and National Shield forces captured positions in Dhubab district, near the southern entrance to the Red Sea, and an airstrip. Officials also said forces cut a road between Dhubab and Mocha. The Defense Ministry later reported that Mocha was back under government control, though reports differed on the city’s status. The claims remain contested. Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said his forces continued to hold their battlefield gains and rejected reports of Saudi-backed advances. Reuters said it could not independently verify the full territorial picture.