Yemeni forces launch bid to recapture Houthi-held district in Taiz

Fighting has intensified in the contested al-Waziiya district as Yemeni government forces seek to dislodge Houthi militants from the strategically significant highland territory. The mountainous region serves as a key gateway to Mocha, a vital Red Sea port that Iran-backed Houthis captured last month, bolstering their control over vital shipping lanes.

Control of al-Waziiya would provide government-aligned forces with leverage over movements between the port and interior territories. The district's elevated terrain has made it a focal point in the broader struggle for dominance in Taiz, one of Yemen's most contested provinces.

The offensive reflects ongoing efforts by Yemen's internationally recognized government to reverse territorial losses and restore state authority. The Houthi seizure of Mocha marked a significant expansion of the militant group's influence in the Red Sea region, prompting international concern over threats to maritime commerce.

Yemen remains deeply fragmented after years of civil conflict, with multiple factions competing for control of key economic and strategic assets. The battle for al-Waziiya underscores the persistence of territorial disputes that have prevented stabilization efforts across the war-torn nation.