Reuters: The Houthis in Yemen advanced up to 80 kilometers from Aden.
Four military sources told Reuters that the Houthis in Yemen, continuing their military operation, came within 80 kilometers of Aden, the temporary capital and most important base of the recognized Yemeni government.
This is the closest the Houthis have come to Aden since the first months of the war in 2015; When they entered this city for a short time, but the government forces pushed them back.
According to Reuters, on Monday, the clash between the Houthis and government forces continued around a military camp at the entrance to the Tor al-Baha area. This camp is located 50 km from the city of Lahj and 80 km from Aden.
Military sources said that three days ago, the Houthis launched a ground attack on the positions of government forces in the mountainous area of al-Maqtara, and now they have taken control of the entire area. The government forces were also forced to retreat to Torvacha. This advance threatens the strategic communication route between Aden and the besieged city of Taiz and allows the Houthis to bypass the positions of government forces on the heights overlooking the Strait of Belmandav.
The latest attacks are part of a wider operation launched by the Houthis since September. During this period, they occupied parts of the coast of the Red Sea and the areas around the Strait of Belmandav, one of the most important shipping passages in the world.
The Houthi advance continues while the group's attacks on Saudi Arabia increased and the Saudi-led coalition also escalated airstrikes against Houthi positions in Yemen.
According to Reuters, the Houthis attacked Aden's airport last Wednesday, and the city's presidential palace was the target of a ground attack in October.
Meanwhile, the siege of Taiz, Yemen's third-largest city, which has intensified since early October, has displaced more than 100,000 people and caused shortages of food, fuel and medicine. The Minister of Information of the Yemeni government has not yet responded to Reuters' request for comment on the developments.