Yemeni Government Advances Near Dhubab Raise Prospects of Retaking Mayun in Bab al-Mandab

   Yemeni government forces advanced on two fronts with air support on Sunday, September 13, reaching Al-Ajram overlooking Ghayl Bani Omar west of Taiz and pushing from Khor Umayrah toward Dhubab, near Al-Omari Camp, according to field reports. The reported coastal advance places troops north of the Bab al-Mandab area, potentially improving their prospects of retaking Mayun Island, which lies within the strait and divides it into two shipping channels.

The offensive coincided with airstrikes on Houthi positions and reinforcements, as well as a reorganisation of West Coast forces following heavy losses reported by the National Resistance.

From Khor Umayrah to Al-Omari Camp

Field reports indicated that government forces advanced from Khor Umayrah toward Dhubab, recapturing several positions and reaching the vicinity of Al-Omari Camp. The camp lies less than 10 kilometres from the Dhubab coastline, according to the same information.

The reported advance suggests troops have moved north beyond the mainland area adjoining Bab al-Mandab. Consolidating these gains and securing Dhubab town and Al-Omari Camp could facilitate an effort to retake Mayun Island in the heart of the strait, strengthening the government’s position around the maritime passage.

However, the available information does not confirm government control of the town or camp, or any change in control of Mayun and its positions overlooking Bab al-Mandab’s shipping channels.

Field reports also indicated that the Houthis had reduced their deployment along parts of the coastal strip to limit their exposure to airstrikes in open terrain.

Advance to Al-Ajram West of Taiz

On the second front, government forces reached Al-Ajram overlooking Ghayl Bani Omar, approximately 40 kilometres from the Mokha coastline, according to field reports. Units took up positions on the surrounding heights.

The Armed Forces Media Centre, citing a military source in the Taiz command, said troops had recaptured positions overlooking Jirdad in Al-Shamayatayn district, advanced toward Ghayl Bani Omar and seized military equipment during the fighting.

During a visit to the front, Major General Abu Bakr Al-Jabouli, commander of the Tur Al-Bahah axis, said the situation in Ghayl Bani Omar, Al-Ahraz and Al-Ajram was under control, denying reports of a Houthi advance.

The two-front offensive points to simultaneous pressure on Houthi forces inland west of Taiz and along the coastal approach to Dhubab. There was no information confirming that the advancing forces on the two fronts had linked up.

Air Support for Ground Operations

The Armed Forces Media Centre said warplanes struck Houthi concentrations, reinforcements and vehicles in Dhubab, Al-Wazi’iyah and Hayfan.

It added that a strike on a gathering in Al-Ufayrah in Jabal Habashi district destroyed vehicles, triggered explosions in an ammunition stockpile and killed at least 10 fighters, according to the military source.

Losses and Reorganisation of West Coast Forces

Meanwhile, the National Resistance said more than 500 of its personnel had been killed and around 1,500 wounded while confronting the Houthi offensive between August 9 and September 10, across fronts stretching from Hays in Hodeidah governorate to Al-Kadaha in Taiz.

The force said its leadership had decided to redeploy and re-equip units along new defensive lines to preserve its strength and prevent encirclement. It accused Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and its allies of directly participating in and supporting the offensive.

According to a document bearing the signature of National Resistance commander Tariq Saleh, a new “Tihama Resistance” force is to be formed from the National Resistance’s First and Second Divisions, excluding the 25th Infantry Brigade, under the command of Major General Zayed Mansour.

The order grants the force financial, administrative and operational independence, with the Arab coalition responsible for defining its area of operations and overseeing it.

The reported advances, territorial control, casualty figures and allegations of direct Iranian involvement could not be independently verified.