Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Yemeni Forces Advance Toward Bab al-Mandab Strait
Yemeni government forces are fighting the Houthi group near an important sea passage called Bab al-Mandab.
The government wants to take back areas held by the Houthis.
The Houthis say they pushed back the government attack.
Mayun Island, which lies in the passage, was still controlled by the Houthis.
Saudi Arabia is helping the Yemeni government with air support.
The Saudi-led coalition said it hit more than 130 Houthi targets.
Reports from both sides said at least 63 fighters were killed in a day of clashes, but those numbers could not be checked independently.
The fighting is part of Yemen’s renewed civil war.
Yemeni government forces launched a counter-offensive near the Bab al-Mandab strait, but had not secured the waterway.
Military sources said Mayun Island, located in the strait, remained under Houthi control as fighting continued.
The Houthis said they repelled the attack; government forces are backed by Saudi Arabia.
Sources from both sides reported at least 63 deaths in clashes over 24 hours, though the claims could not be independently verified.
The Saudi-led coalition said it destroyed more than 130 Houthi targets; reports also described attacks in Saudi Arabia and Yemen.
- Who
- Yemeni government forces and the Houthis, with Saudi-backed coalition support for the government.
- What
- Government forces advanced in a counter-offensive near the Bab al-Mandab strait; the Houthis said they repelled the assault.
- When
- The reported fighting took place around October 9–10; the counter-offensive was announced the previous week.
- Where
- The Bab al-Mandab area and western Yemen, including Mayun Island.
- Why
- The government counter-offensive aims to retake Houthi-held areas, including the strategically important strait region.
Yemeni Government and Saudi-led Coalition
Houthis
Battle around Bab al-Mandab
Yemeni Government and Saudi-led Coalition
Government forces launched a major counter-offensive to retake Houthi-held areas and advanced around the strait.
Houthis
The Houthis said they repelled the assault and drove back Saudi-aligned troops advancing from the direction of Lahj.
Air attacks and targets
Yemeni Government and Saudi-led Coalition
The Saudi-led coalition said it destroyed more than 130 Houthi targets in a large-scale operation.
Houthis
Houthi media reported Saudi strikes in the Bab al-Mandab area.
- Strategic waterway
- Bab al-Mandab strait
- Island status
- Mayun Island remained in Houthi hands, according to military sources.
- Reported deaths
- At least 63 in 24 hours: 35 government troops and 28 Houthis, according to sources from both sides.
- Coalition claim
- The Saudi-led coalition said it destroyed more than 130 Houthi targets.
- Government support
- Saudi Arabia backs the Yemeni government and provided air support for the operation.
- Verification
- The casualty and battlefield claims could not be independently verified.
- Wider conflict
- The article says Yemen’s civil war reignited in July after four years of relative calm.