Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement moved to about 80 kilometres (50 miles) from Aden, its closest approach since 2015, after taking Al-Maqatirah district and fighting government forces near a main route into the city, four military sources told Reuters.
Fighting was reported Monday at a military camp near Tur al-Bahah, one of the main routes into Aden. The sources said the Houthis began their attack on government positions in Al-Maqatirah three days earlier. They said the Houthis took control of the district and pushed government troops back toward Tur al-Bahah.
The mountainous area is above the road connecting Aden with Taiz, an important route in southwestern Yemen. The advance follows a wider Houthi offensive that began in September. That offensive let the group move farther down the Red Sea coast toward the important Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
The renewed fighting has happened as Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have increased and Saudi-led coalition strikes in Yemen have intensified. These developments have further widened the regional conflict. Houthi attacks on Aden have also intensified.
The airport was struck last week, and the presidential palace was hit in October. Yemen’s information minister did not immediately respond to Reuters’ request for comment. Reuters said it could not independently verify a video that a Houthi official said showed fighters entering the district.