Yemeni government forces supported by Saudi Arabia accelerated attacks against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels Wednesday, as the war for control over the Bab al-Mandeb Strait escalates.
Yemeni Armed Forces spokesperson Col. Majed Al-Nuzaili said strikes against Houthi positions increased in intensity this week, pointing to destroyed rebel equipment in Dhubab and Khokha.
Government forces in Taiz, Yemen, reportedly destroyed a Houthi ballistic missile launcher at the Taiz airport.
Separately, Arab News reported the expanded air campaign against Houthi positions in Mokha, Dhubab and Khokha, all recently captured by the rebels, is a preparatory phase before a major ground offensive aimed at taking back control of much of the area near the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
The Houthis have increased attacks against Saudi-aligned forces in Yemen. The rebels released battlefield footage overnight showing fighting as they seized armored vehicles while warplanes flew overhead.
Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said Wednesday that rebel forces shot down a Saudi F-15 fighter jet.
Neither Riyadh nor independent sources have confirmed or verified the incident.
Mr. Saree said Saudi-backed forces have launched more than 450 airstrikes against rebel positions over the past week. Earlier this month, Houthi sources asserted that Riyadh had authorized just over 300 strikes, which could confirm an escalation of attacks.
Saudi Arabia has not confirmed or denied the Houthis’ accounting of airstrikes.
However, Saudi Arabia on Tuesday accused the Houthis of launching a drone strike near Mecca after its air defenses shot down an unidentified drone near the Islamic holy city. Riyadh said the attempted strike crossed a firm “red line” by targeting one of the most important spiritual sites for Muslims, while the Houthis rejected the accusation.
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