Yemeni government forces on Monday, 5 October 2025, launched a counteroffensive against Houthi positions overlooking the strategically vital Bab al-Mandeb Strait, one of the world's busiest maritime chokepoints, according to a government military official who spoke on condition of anonymity. The operation marks the operational start of what the government has formally termed its 'battle of liberation,' signalling an escalation after weeks of mounting pressure along Yemen's southwestern front.

Operation in Dhubab District

Units of the Giants Brigades advanced under air cover into Dhubab district in southwestern Taiz province, where fighting concentrated around Houthi positions controlling approaches to the strait. According to the official, government troops — supported by local tribal fighters — recaptured several positions and severed a Houthi supply route used to reinforce fighters near Bab al-Mandeb. 'The forces are advancing on several fronts in Dhubab,' the official said. An unspecified number of Houthi fighters were also reportedly captured during the advance. 'The military operation is continuing, with Saudi-led coalition air cover supporting the ground forces,' the official added.

Houthis Deny Government Claims

The Houthi side offered a starkly different account. Houthi-run al-Masirah TV, citing an internal military source, dismissed the reported government advances toward Dhubab as 'completely false,' accusing Saudi media of attempting to conceal battlefield setbacks suffered by pro-government forces. Independent verification of either account was not immediately possible given restricted access to the area.

The 'Battle of Liberation': Official Framing

The counteroffensive follows a declaration by Rashad al-Alimi, chairman of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council and commander-in-chief of the armed forces, who announced on Sunday, 4 October 2025, the formal launch of the broader campaign. In a televised address broadcast from Riyadh on Yemen's state television, al-Alimi said the government was moving 'from the preparation phase to the action phase.' The decision, he noted, followed resolutions by Yemen's National Defence Council and came after what he described as the exhaustion of opportunities for de-escalation, accusing the Houthis of using the period of restraint to mobilise additional fighters and expand attacks.

Why Bab al-Mandeb Matters

The Bab al-Mandeb Strait — the narrow waterway between Yemen and Djibouti — is a critical corridor for global trade, connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and onward to the Suez Canal. An estimated 10–15% of global maritime trade passes through it annually, including oil tankers and container vessels. Houthi control of positions overlooking the strait has drawn international concern, particularly after the group's campaign of attacks on commercial shipping that intensified through 2024 and 2025. This military push represents the government's most direct attempt in recent months to dislodge Houthi influence from those vantage points.

Broader Context

Yemen's civil war, now in its second decade, has seen the Iran-aligned Houthis consolidate control over much of the country's north and west, while the internationally recognised government, backed by a Saudi-led coalition, holds parts of the south and east. The latest escalation comes amid weeks of intensified clashes across multiple fronts, suggesting both sides are operating under renewed military momentum. How far the 'battle of liberation' extends — and whether it can hold ground beyond the initial advance — will depend heavily on continued coalition air support and tribal alliances that have historically shifted in Yemen's complex conflict landscape.