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129 people have died in a fierce battle between Houthi rebels and government forces in Yemen. It is one of the deadliest clashes in Yemen in recent years. Houthi rebels are trying to consolidate their positions near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, considered the gateway to the Red Sea.
The fighting started on Thursday. The Houthis also used rockets and drones along with ground attacks near coastal areas. During this time he captured many strategic heights along the Red Sea. From these areas it is easy to keep an eye on Mokha port and the sea route.
According to AFP, a Yemeni army officer said that 66 of its soldiers had been killed. At the same time, sources associated with Houthi rebels have claimed that at least 62 rebels have been killed. One civilian has also died.
Thus, according to the data coming from different sides, the death toll in the fight has increased to more than 120. However, these data have not been independently confirmed.
Why is Bab el-Mandeb so important?
The Bab al-Mandeb is a vital sea route connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and further to the Indian Ocean. To its north, the Red Sea connects to the Mediterranean Sea through the Suez Canal.
A large amount of international trade and energy moves through this route. Therefore, the impact of any prolonged conflict here or any kind of obstruction in the sea route will not be limited to Yemen only, but can also affect other parts of the world.
In the current attack, the Houthis’ focus is also on Mokha port and its surrounding areas. The capture of strategic heights could help them put pressure on government forces in the coastal area and keep an eye on the approaches to Mokha and Bab al-Mandeb.
According to military sources, the Houthis have captured several high-altitude positions near the Red Sea and around the city of Taiz.
Government sent army to fight Houthi rebels
In view of the advance of Houthi rebels, the Yemeni government has also sent additional troops to Taiz. According to a Yemeni official, the government has sent troops from Aden to Taiz at the behest of Saudi Arabia.
According to experts, if the Houthis strengthen their hold on Mokha port or strategic areas around Bab al-Mandeb, it could strengthen their position in any negotiations with the Yemeni government and Saudi Arabia.
Who are the Houthi rebels?
The Houthi rebels are an armed organization of the Zaydi Shia community living in the northern part of Yemen. It began as a religious-social movement in the 1990s. The Houthis accused the government of discrimination.
In 2011, the wave of Arab Spring that started from Tunisia also reached Yemen. At that time President Ali Abdullah Saleh had been in power for about 33 years. Due to the protest of the youth his throne was snatched away. Abdrabbhu Mansour Hadi became president in February 2012. But his government was weak.
Houthi rebels took advantage of this and captured the capital Sanaa in September 2014. The situation worsened so much that in 2015, President Hadi had to leave the country and take refuge in Saudi Arabia. Since Hadi left office, no single government has control over Yemen.
Right now Yemen is divided into many parts. Houthi rebels get support from Iran. At the same time, the internationally recognized government gets the support of Saudi Arabia and its allied countries.
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