In brief
Yemen’s government, backed by a Saudi‑led coalition, launched an offensive near Bab al‑Mandab strait on Monday, killing nine soldiers. The Houthis also suffered losses and denied the offensive, citing heavy losses for the attackers. Both sides claim victory, highlighting a key point in the protracted Yemeni war.
On Monday, 2 November 2026, Yemen’s government forces, supported by a Saudi‑led coalition, launched an offensive near the Bab al‑Mandab Strait, a channel linking the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden that serves as a critical shipping route between Asia and Europe. The attack resulted in the deaths of at least nine government soldiers, including a field commander, according to a government military source who spoke on condition of anonymity to Xinhua.
The government source said that units of the Southern Giants Brigades and other forces began the advance early on Monday, triggering intense clashes that were reported to be ongoing several hours later. The Houthis countered with missile and drone strikes that inflicted casualties on the advancing troops. However, the source did not provide a specific figure for Houthi losses.
In contrast, the Houthi‑run al‑Masirah TV, citing a military source within the group, reported that Houthi forces had repelled the attacks and inflicted "heavy losses" on the opposing forces. The Houthi source added that the attacking forces made repeated attempts to advance toward Bab al‑Mandab despite mounting losses, claiming that a "large number" of soldiers were killed or wounded.
"failed attempts" to advance toward Bab al‑Mandab
That statement was attributed to the same Houthi military source cited by al‑Masirah TV. The source used the phrase to describe the offensive’s lack of success in gaining a foothold near the strait.
"heavy losses" on the opposing forces
This assertion was also issued by the Houthi source and served to counter the government’s claim of a successful strike.
"a large number" of soldiers were killed or wounded
Again, the Houthi source used these words to emphasize the cost borne by the attacking side.
The Bab al‑Mandab Strait, a narrow passage running through Yemen’s south, is a major global maritime chokepoint, carrying countless container ships, oil tankers, and other vessels linking the world’s economies. Control over this strait is of strategic importance to both the Yemeni government and Houthi forces.
Yemen has been embroiled in conflict since late 2014, when the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, and much of the north, sparking a counter‑offensive by the Saudi‑led coalition in 2015 to restore the internationally recognized government. The war has led to a humanitarian catastrophe and periodic escalations of fighting on both land and the seas surrounding the country.
Recent weeks have seen a sharp uptick in ground battles and airstrikes within Yemen, coupled with increased Houthi missile and drone attacks on government‑held areas and targets inside Saudi Arabia and other neighboring states. The latest confrontation near Bab al‑Mandab reflects this broader pattern of intensified hostilities.
Both sides now claim victory. The government source touted the loss of nine soldiers as evidence of effective resistance, while the Houthi source insisted that the attackers suffered heavy losses and could not capture the strategic point. Because each party presents a different narrative, the true extent of losses on both sides remains uncertain. The incident also raises open questions about the control of the strait, the effectiveness of the coalition’s support for Yemeni forces, and the potential for further escalation as each side seeks to strengthen its hold over this vital maritime corridor.
Stakeholders and observers are watching closely, as any shift in control of the Bab al‑Mandab Strait could have far‑reaching implications for international shipping, regional security, and the ongoing humanitarian siege of Yemen.
