Yemeni government warplanes launch 20 airstrikes on Houthis in Taiz

Warplanes belonging to Yemen’s internationally recognized government carried out 20 airstrikes over the past three hours, targeting Houthi movements, personnel, vehicles, and military equipment in Taiz province, the government’s military spokesperson said on Friday.

The strikes come amid the most serious escalation between Saudi Arabia and the Iran-aligned Houthis since the United Nations-brokered truce ended in 2022, which had largely curbed cross-border attacks.

Houthi control of Taiz in southwest Yemen is considered a strategic move, granting them full control over the north and strengthening their grip on the Red Sea coast, while facilitating access to the south and the government’s current seat in the coastal city of Aden.

The renewed conflict has displaced tens of thousands of people and could reshape control across Yemen, potentially impacting shipping lanes in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait.

On Thursday, Saudi Arabia said the Houthis attacked a power distribution station in Medina that supplies electricity to the Prophet’s Mosque. A Houthi military source denied the accusation via the Saba news agency, calling it an attempt to distract from what the source described as Saudi Arabia’s failure to prove a previous claim of targeting Mecca.

Earlier, Saudi Arabia confirmed it had intercepted and destroyed a Houthi drone south of Mecca before it entered restricted airspace. The Houthis denied targeting Mecca or any other Islamic holy site.

Six military sources told Reuters that fighting has spread widely across Taiz province, prompting authorities to close all roads leading into the province and declare them military zones, affecting around 19 routes, including the main road from southern Sanaa to Taiz.