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Yemeni Forces Seize Red Sea Coast Districts in Major Advance — Spokesman for the Yemeni Armed Forces, Brigadier General yahya Saree, delivers a televised statement broadcast from the capital Sana’a on September 11, 2026.

Editorial Team

Military spokesman reports liberation of 5,400 sq km across Hudaydah and Ta'izz as troops push toward Bab al-Mandab Strait

Yemeni military units have taken control of hundreds of kilometers of territory in the western provinces of Hudaydah and Ta'izz and are advancing rapidly toward the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait, according to the spokesman for the Yemeni Armed Forces.

Brigadier General Yahya Saree announced the gains in a televised statement on Friday afternoon, saying Yemeni troops and allied popular committee fighters had driven Saudi-sponsored mercenary forces out of six districts and cleared 5,400 square kilometers of land.

The advance represents a significant shift in the prolonged conflict, striking at Saudi-backed forces near one of the world's most important maritime chokepoints. The Bab al-Mandab Strait connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and is a vital corridor for global shipping and energy supplies.

The operation also carries direct implications for Red Sea navigation, with Yemeni authorities signaling that passage will remain open to most vessels while Saudi-linked shipping faces a naval blockade.

Major Military Gains Reported

The offensive, dubbed "Allah is stronger in might and stronger in inflicting punishment," was described as a large-scale operation. Saree said Yemeni forces and their allies defeated seven divisions of Saudi-backed mercenary forces, comprising 38 brigades, killing and wounding hundreds of militants and capturing many more.

Yemeni forces also liberated a large number of prisoners held in what Saree described as inhumane conditions in detention facilities overseen by Saudi mercenaries.

Separately, Yemeni air defense units carried out 32 operations and intercepted and shot down nine intruding Saudi aircraft, according to the spokesman.

Background of the Conflict

In March 2015, Saudi Arabia and its allies imposed a blockade on Yemen and launched a comprehensive military offensive that received military, political, and logistical support from the United States and several Western countries.

Tens of thousands of Yemenis have lost their lives over the course of the conflict. According to the source material, Saudi Arabia has failed to achieve its primary goal of reestablishing a government aligned with its interests.

The maritime dimension intensified recently when the Sana'a government announced a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia on July 20, citing what it called an unjust and oppressive siege on Yemen lasting almost 12 years. Yemeni armed forces have since reported a series of missions targeting vessels associated with Saudi Arabia in the Red Sea.

Official Statements on the Operation

Saree reaffirmed that passage through the Red Sea remains open to all vessels, with the exception of shipments from Saudi Arabia, which are subject to the naval blockade.

The spokesman said the Yemeni military remains committed to maintaining a "siege for a siege" equation, will target Saudi military buildups, and will escalate attacks in parallel with any escalation as long as aggression against their homeland persists and the blockade is not fully lifted. He also paid tribute to Yemeni servicemen, praising their sacrifices in defense of the nation.

Current Status and Outlook

Yemeni forces are continuing their advance toward the Bab al-Mandab Strait following the reported liberation of the six districts. The spokesman indicated that further operations would follow in response to any escalation, while maintaining the naval blockade against Saudi-linked shipping.

Independent confirmation of the casualty figures and territorial gains has not yet been established, and additional details on the operation's next phases remain to be officially announced.