Yemen government forces strike Houthi targets in Taiz

Yemen's internationally recognized government forces launched 20 airstrikes targeting Houthi movements, personnel, vehicles, and military equipment in Taiz province over a three-hour period on Friday, according to the government's military spokesperson. These strikes represent a significant escalation amid heightened tensions between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-aligned Houthis.

The conflict has already led to the displacement of tens of thousands of people and could alter the control dynamics within Yemen. Control of Taiz by the Houthis would grant them full command over northern Yemen, strengthen their hold on the Red Sea coast, and provide easier access to the southern port city of Aden, where the government is based. The situation also carries implications for vital shipping lanes in the Red Sea and the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Earlier, Saudi Arabia stated that the Houthis had attacked a power distribution station in Medina. However, a Houthi military source, quoted by the Houthi-run Saba news agency, denied this claim, suggesting it was an attempt to obscure Saudi Arabia's alleged failure to substantiate a previous accusation that the Houthis had targeted the holy city of Mecca. Saudi Arabia had previously announced intercepting a drone south of Mecca, an accusation the Houthis denied.

In response to the intensified fighting, authorities ordered the closure of all roads leading into Taiz province, designating them as military operational areas. Six military sources told Reuters that approximately 19 roads were affected by these closures, including the main route connecting southern Sanaa to Taiz.