Key facts
- Yemen's anti-Houthi forces are investigating the collapse of an offensive against Sana'a.
- Over 15 brigades were defeated, and the west coast fell to Houthi control.
- Yemeni politicians claim billions of dollars were offered to persuade defending forces to abandon their positions.
- The National Resistance Forces, led by Tareq Saleh, stated they made a tactical retreat.
- The Houthis captured the headquarters of the National Resistance Forces on Jabal al-Nar.
- Yemeni Nobel laureate Tawakkol Karman called for an investigation into the withdrawal.
Yemen's anti-Houthi forces are conducting a thorough investigation into the sudden collapse of a major offensive aimed at capturing the Houthi-controlled capital, Sana'a. The assault, which involved over 15 brigades, resulted in a significant military rout and the loss of the country's entire west coast to Houthi control. Efforts are now focused on reorganizing the forces representing the UN-recognized Yemeni government to recapture the strategic Kahbob mountains, which would allow them to restrict Houthi movements towards the Bab al-Mandab strait.
Some Yemeni politicians have alleged that billions of dollars were offered to persuade the forces defending the west coast to abandon their positions, leading to the retreat of as many as 30,000 well-equipped fighters. Questions are being raised about coordination, readiness, and morale among the anti-Houthi troops. The governor of Hadramaut has not identified the source of these alleged payments, but some have pointed to past links between the United Arab Emirates and the National Resistance Forces led by Tareq Saleh. The UAE departed Yemen in January but reportedly harbors resentment towards Saudi Arabia's role in its withdrawal and the outlawing of the separatist Southern Transitional Council.
Yemeni Nobel laureate Tawakkol Karman has called for an investigation, while local activist Abdu Mukabib described the withdrawal from the port city of Mocha on September 10 as a "great betrayal." The National Resistance Forces, however, stated they executed a necessary tactical retreat after suffering 500 soldier deaths and to avoid encirclement. Tareq Saleh is now forming an independent group called the "Tihami Resistance."
Prior to the withdrawal, the Houthis had captured the headquarters of the National Resistance Forces along Yemen's western coast, located on Jabal al-Nar (Fire Mountain), which was reportedly defended by six military brigades and equipped with sophisticated weaponry from Saudi Arabia. Mukabib detailed that by the time Houthis entered Mocha at 6 a.m., their numbers were minimal, suggesting a lack of resistance. He characterized the event as "humiliation" and a betrayal of trust, stating it was a "cowardly and shameful withdrawal" rather than one born of weakness or lack of supplies.
Other explanations for the reverse include poor command and control communications, high-level Houthi intelligence, and internal divisions within the anti-Houthi military, including the influence of Saudi commanders. The Houthis themselves have become a more sophisticated military force, bolstered by Iranian intelligence and benefiting from modern warfare tactics like cheap drones. Over a decade in control of key regions and financial support from Saudi Arabia have enabled them to acquire ballistic missiles and develop indigenous weapon manufacturing capabilities, reducing their reliance on Iran.
Iranian officials maintain that the Houthis operate with their own unified command structure and priorities, not merely as a proxy force. The ongoing inquest is not solely retrospective, as both Yemeni government and Saudi forces are reviewing the defeat to assess if the Houthi gains can be reversed. Reports suggest that a limited contingent from the Giants Brigades, previously linked to UAE-backed separatists, managed to repel a Houthi advance and reclaim positions near Mocha, which could have provided an opportunity to regain the initiative. However, the withdrawal of adjacent National Resistance units undermined this effort, leading to further retreats.
Professor Dr. Abdulwahab al-Awaj of Taiz University commented that the collapse signifies a breakdown in coordination and trust among anti-Houthi forces, which the Houthis exploited more than any decisive military superiority. He stressed that regaining the initiative requires reorganizing government forces under a unified vision, addressing security gaps, and building genuine trust on the ground to prevent future occurrences.