Yemeni Forces Repel Second Saudi Attempt to Advance on Bab al-Mandab from Lahj

The Yemeni Armed Forces have continued to confront Saudi enemy mobilizations attempting to approach Bab al-Mandab through the open areas of Lahj province, inflicting heavy losses in lives and equipment on the enemy and its tools.

In a statement on Friday afternoon, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, spokesman for the Yemeni Armed Forces, said: “Our Armed Forces support, and backing—and for the second time within hours—succeeded in confronting and expelling Saudi enemy mobilizations that attempted to advance from the Lahj direction toward Bab al-Mandab.”

No Progress, Heavy Losses Inflicted

Brigadier General Saree affirmed that the enemy mobilizations “made no progress, by God’s grace, and were targeted with a large number of ballistic missiles, artillery support, and heavy weapons.”

He noted the losses suffered by the Saudi enemy mobilizations, affirming “the destruction of more than 22 armored vehicles and the killing and wounding of dozens, including a number of commanders.” He noted that “more than 30 ambulances arrived in Aden transporting the dead and wounded from the Saudi enemy mobilizations.”

The confrontations in Lahj province represent a significant escalation in efforts to defend Bab al-Mandab from Saudi attempts to regain control over the strategic waterway. The Saudi mobilizations, attempting to advance from Lahj’s open areas toward Bab al-Mandab, are part of the broader “Dawn of Yemen” operation announced by the Saudi-backed Presidential Council.

The Armed Forces’ ability to repel the Saudi advances for the second time within hours demonstrates its military capabilities and its control over the strategic area. The destruction of more than 22 armored vehicles and the killing and wounding of dozens, including commanders, represents a significant blow to Saudi-backed forces and their ability to achieve their objectives.