Yemeni Forces Retake Bab al-Mandab, Launch 'Dawn of Yemen' Offensive

The internationally recognized Yemeni government, supported by the Saudi-led coalition, has launched a major offensive to retake Houthi-held territories, including strategic areas near Bab el-Mandeb. Concurrently, two tankers were struck in the Strait of Hormuz, and Iran recalled its ambassador to Yemen, signaling broader regional escalation. The scale and strategic outcome of the offensive remain uncertain, as do the perpetrators and implications of the Strait of Hormuz attacks.

Yemeni government-aligned forces, specifically the Southern Giants Brigades, claim to have seized Dhubab and strategic sites near the Bab el-Mandeb strait from Houthi control. While multiple sources report these claims, ground control remains largely unverified, and the durability of any gains is uncertain. This operation, reportedly named 'Dawn of Yemen,' aims to reverse Houthi territorial control in the critical maritime chokepoint area.