Saudi-backed forces withdraw from Bab al-Mandab as Ansar Allah threatens encirclement.
Saudi-aligned military formations are withdrawing from strategic positions near the Bab al-Mandab strait, just weeks after they claimed to have secured the area during an attack supported by the Saudi air force.
The southern armed forces, including the Giants Brigades under the command of Abdulrahman al-Makhrami, officially described their departure from Dubab airport and surrounding positions in western Taiz as a strategic redeployment aimed at strengthening the defense of Aden and neighboring provinces.
However, sources aligned with Ansar Allah offer a different explanation. According to them, the advance through the Jabal Kharez mountain range threatened to cut off thousands of Saudi-backed troops, forcing a withdrawal before their positions could be surrounded.
According to these reports, retreating teams are heading towards Khor Omirah in Lahij district, while other units stationed in al-Saqiya, Kahub and Ras al-Ara are preparing to abandon their positions.
The upheaval comes about six weeks after Saudi-backed forces launched an offensive in early October and repeatedly declared control of the strategically vital Bab al-Mandab corridor.
It appears that what began as an operation to strengthen control of the Red Sea Gate has now shifted to a defensive effort to prevent Ansar Allah from advancing towards Aden.