Houthis advance towards Aden, Yemeni government accuses Iran and Hezbollah of sending 21 experts

The Houthis are attempting to push south-east from Taiz province into Lahij province, with the possible aim of encircling or capturing Aden, the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) assesses. According to its November 3 report, the Houthis seized Suq al Rubah on the Taiz–Aden supply route on November 1 and fought south and south-east of the town on November 2 and 3. Pro-government forces reportedly retook Jabal Irf on November 3.

The Yemeni government, according to Al Jazeera, accused Iran and Hezbollah of sending the Houthis 21 “experts”: 14 Iranians and seven Hezbollah members. The Houthis, for their part, say Saudi air strikes across Yemen killed at least 17 people in two days. Saudi officials accused the movement of another attempted drone attack on Mecca, which the Houthis deny.

The bloodiest month since 2022

The Yemen front has flared up again as part of the war with Iran. According to AP, on October 19 the Houthis struck a military camp in Shabwa province with ballistic missiles, killing at least 53 soldiers and wounding around 200 recruits. Saudi Arabia cancelled a global investment conference and extended remote schooling in and around Riyadh. On November 3, the Houthis claimed responsibility for attacks on the airport in Abha and King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait.

Casualty figures are provided by the warring parties and have not been independently confirmed.