Yemen says advancing against Houthis around key Bab al-Mandab strait

Yemeni military sources said on Saturday their forces were advancing against the Houthis in areas around the Bab al-Mandab strait but have not yet secured control of the waterway, after the government launched an operation to capture lost territory. The Saudi-backed government last week announced a counter-offensive aimed at retaking all areas held by the Houthis, after the pro-Iran group seized Yemen's entire western coastline in a lightning offensive. Read moreYemen's government declares counter-offensive as Houthis cut vital route to besieged city The Houthis confirmed that government forces had attacked in the Bab al-Mandab area but they claimed to have repelled the assault. "Saudi-led forces attempted to advance from the Ras al-Ara area in Lahj governorate towards the area south of Bab al-Mandab," Hizam al-Asad, a member of the Houthis' political bureau, told AFP. "However, our forces repelled them outside the Bab al-Mandab zone, inflicting heavy losses in personnel and equipment and forcing the survivors to retreat. "Our forces maintain control over Bab al-Mandab, Mayun Island, and the remaining areas along the country's western coast," he said. Sources from the military of Y...