Archive · 23 Sep 2026
Yemen Government Forces Claim Control of Strategic Mount Qarfan
Yemen’s government forces said they captured an important mountain called Mount Qarfan.
The mountain is in Taiz, an area where government forces are fighting the Houthis.
Local fighters reportedly helped the government troops.
A military commander said five Houthi fighters were killed and 20 were wounded.
The government says the mountain helps soldiers watch and attack nearby valleys.
The Houthis had not yet commented on the claim.
The fighting is happening while tensions in the region are increasing.
Earlier, the Houthis reportedly took control of parts of Yemen’s Red Sea coast, including Mocha.
Saudi-backed Yemen government forces claimed full control of strategic Mount Qarfan in Taiz on Tuesday.
The Yemen Armed Forces Media Centre said local fighters assisted in the operation against Iran-aligned Houthi forces.
A Taiz military commander said five Houthi fighters were killed and 20 wounded during fierce battles.
Control of the mountain would provide firepower and surveillance over valleys between Taiz’s ash-Shamaytaun and al-Waziiya districts.
The Houthis had not responded to the government’s claim, which came amid intensified fighting across Yemen.
- Who
- Saudi-backed Yemen government forces, assisted by local fighters, fought Iran-aligned Houthi forces.
- What
- Government forces claimed they had taken full control of Mount Qarfan.
- When
- The seizure was reported on Tuesday; the article does not provide a specific date.
- Where
- Mount Qarfan in Yemen’s western Taiz governorate, near the ash-Shamaytaun and al-Waziiya districts.
- Why
- The mountain offers a tactical advantage by providing firepower and surveillance over nearby valleys.
Government Forces’ Account
Houthi Position
Control of Mount Qarfan
Government Forces’ Account
Yemen’s government forces said they had restored full control of the mountain after fierce battles and claimed the capture gave them a strategic advantage.
Houthi Position
The Houthis had not responded to the government’s claim, so their account of control over the mountain was not reported.
Battle casualties
Government Forces’ Account
A Taiz military commander claimed that five Houthi fighters were killed and 20 wounded.
Houthi Position
No independent or Houthi account of the reported casualties was provided.
- Location
- Mount Qarfan, Taiz governorate, Yemen
- Claiming side
- Saudi-backed Yemen government forces
- Opposing force
- Iran-aligned Houthi fighters
- Reported casualties
- Five Houthi fighters killed and 20 wounded, according to a Taiz military commander
- Tactical importance
- The mountain overlooks valleys between the ash-Shamaytaun and al-Waziiya districts
- Houthi response
- No response to the government’s claim had been reported
- Related developments
- The Houthis reportedly seized Yemen’s Red Sea coastline, including the port city of Mocha, earlier in the month