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// DOSSIER — houthi-offensive-yemen-kahboub-mountains-international-response
Houthi Offensive in Yemen's Kahboub Mountains and International Response
REL_TIME: 24 Sep 2026 04:12Z · LANG: EN
Yemen's Houthi movement has launched a lightning offensive, seizing much of the Red Sea coast and pushing into the strategic Kahboub Mountains overlooking the Bab al-Mandeb Strait. The advance threatens to shift the balance of power in Yemen's conflict, endangering the Saudi-backed government and putting pressure on key transport routes and the city of Taiz. Yemeni President Rashad al-Alimi and Saudi leaders pressed US President Donald Trump for military intervention, leading to planned airstrikes that Trump halted at the last minute. Meanwhile, regional fighting has displaced thousands and caused hundreds of casualties, ending the relative calm that held since 2022.
// Background
The conflict in Yemen has seen a sudden escalation in September 2026, ending a relative calm that had largely held since 2022. The Houthis, who have controlled the capital Sanaa since 2014, launched a rapid offensive capturing significant portions of the Red Sea coast near the critical Bab al-Mandeb Strait. The strait handles a vast share of global maritime trade and oil shipments, making control of adjacent highlands like the Kahboub Mountains a major geopolitical flashpoint involving regional and international powers including Saudi Arabia, the US, Iran, and the UK.
// Key Developments
- Houthis have advanced toward the Kahboub Mountains overlooking the strategic Bab al-Mandeb shipping chokepoint after a rapid coastal offensive.
- Controlling the mountains provides the Houthis with defensive depth and a natural wall to secure their newly captured coastal territories.
- US President Donald Trump reportedly called off planned airstrikes against Houthi positions at the last minute after a request for military backing from Yemeni President Rashad al-Alimi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
- Britain announced it will support Saudi Arabia with defensive air-to-air refuelling.
- The renewed conflict has caused nearly 700 deaths, displaced 130,000 Yemenis, and disrupted the relative calm that began in 2022.
// Timeline
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Houthis seize control of Yemen's capital, Sanaa.
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A relative calm largely takes hold in the Yemen conflict until recent months.
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Houthi supporters protest in Sanaa against Saudi intervention and accusations regarding the Mecca border.
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Yemeni President Rashad al-Alimi speaks with US President Donald Trump to request military backing, and Trump halts planned US airstrikes against Houthi targets at the last minute.
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Reports detail ongoing heavy fighting as Houthi forces attempt to secure the Kahboub Mountains and push through Lahj and Taiz governorates.
// Perspectives
[Houthis]
Aggressively expanding territorial control along the Red Sea coast and key highlands to secure supply lines, establish defensive depth, and increase leverage over international shipping.
[Yemeni Government & Saudi Arabia]
Deeply alarmed by the Houthi advance, urging immediate US military intervention and launching counter-operations and air strikes to prevent the total loss of southern and western approaches.
[United States]
Hesitant to engage in direct military escalation, with President Trump halting planned airstrikes at the last minute despite appeals from regional allies.
[United Kingdom]
Providing defensive support to Saudi Arabia by agreeing to supply air-to-air refuelling for Saudi jets countering Houthi attacks.
// Quotes
“The mountains are the natural wall that protects the Houthis’ rear on the coast. Controlling them would cut the coast off from the government-held south and place direct pressure on Lahj and, in the longer term, Aden.”
“Holding the coastline, Mayyun and the adjacent highlands together would give the Houthis a much deeper and more defensible position around one of the world’s principal maritime chokepoints.”
“This is the Houthis trying to seize more ground and diminish the capacity of their enemies while increasing their strategic ability to close Bab al-Mandeb.”
