Houthis Target Yemen Highlands as U.S. Reportedly Pauses Strikes
Houthi forces advance toward strategic Yemeni peaks to secure the Red Sea, while reports suggest Washington halted planned air raids on the group.
Key points
- Houthi forces are advancing toward the Kahboub Mountains to secure their rear and protect the Bab al-Mandab Strait.
- Reports indicate the U.S. paused planned airstrikes on the Houthis at the last minute, despite Saudi requests for help.
- The conflict has displaced over 120,000 Yemenis and threatens to disrupt alternative routes for Saudi oil exports.
Houthi fighters are moving to secure key mountain ranges in Yemen, a maneuver designed to sever the Red Sea coast from territories held by Saudi-backed forces. This advance follows reports that President Donald Trump ordered a pause in planned U.S. airstrikes against the group at the last minute, despite preparations for a military response.
The group’s rapid expansion this month has extended the broader regional conflict and intensified concerns over global energy supplies. Washington has declined repeated requests from Saudi Arabia to join the fighting in Yemen, even as the Houthis claimed responsibility for attacks near Riyadh’s airport, an incident that drew limited official comment from the Saudi government.
Strategic Moves in the Highlands
Military sources indicate that Houthi forces are targeting the Kahboub Mountains in the Taiz and Lahij provinces. Controlling these heights would allow the group to protect its rear positions around the Bab al-Mandab Strait and open new fronts. This strategic shift aims to consolidate their hold on the Red Sea coast and secure the logistics of their recent rapid advance.
Although Saudi Arabia has conducted hundreds of airstrikes against Houthi positions, the air campaign has failed to halt the fighters' momentum. The internationally recognized Yemeni government, based in the south, has seen its forces retreat as the Houthis capture critical coastal areas, including Perim Island. The UN reports that nearly 700 people have been killed and over 120,000 have been displaced by the escalating violence.
Diplomatic Tensions and Energy Risks
The situation presents a complex dilemma for the U.S. administration, which seeks to support its Saudi allies without further expanding the unpopular war against Iran. According to The Globe and Mail, citing the New York Times, the U.S. was prepared to launch strikes after fresh appeals from the Saudi crown prince, but these operations were cancelled even as aircraft were being loaded.
Control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait threatens to disrupt the primary alternative route for Saudi oil exports, which has been used to bypass disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. In response, Saudi Arabia has increased shipments through Hormuz, with tankers operating with transponders off and charging record fees to mitigate wartime risks. These developments underscore the growing instability in key global energy corridors.
Uncertain Path for Regional Stability
The next phase of the conflict will likely be defined by the Houthis' ability to consolidate their grip on the highlands and the U.S. decision on whether to re-engage militarily. Observers are watching closely for any signs of renewed American air activity or further Saudi diplomatic efforts to secure direct military support. The outcome will have significant implications for both regional security and the stability of global oil markets.
