Houthi advance on Marib, Taiz threatens Yemen's oil hub and last northern stronghold

September 14, 2026 at 05:09 PM2 min

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Houthi forces are gaining ground in Yemen's Marib and Taiz regions, threatening the government's last northern stronghold and the country's main oil and gas hub. More than 85,000 civilians have fled since early September as fighting intensifies. Analysts say a Houthi capture of Marib could decisively shift the war in their favour.

Key Facts

Marib hosts Yemen's largest gas and oil fields and is the government's last remaining stronghold in the north.
More than 85,000 people have been forced to flee their homes since the beginning of September, according to the International Organization for Migration.
More than 2,000 Yemenis have fled to Djibouti's northern shores as fighting intensifies.
Government forces, supported by Saudi Arabia, are on the counteroffensive in western Taiz after losing ground there last week.
A Houthi capture of Marib would be a 'watershed moment' for Yemen's internal dynamics, according to Adam Baron of the New America think tank.

Strategic Value of Marib

Marib is the last remaining stronghold of anti-Houthi forces in northern Yemen. The region hosts the country's largest gas and oil fields, making it a crucial source of energy infrastructure and potential revenue. Yemeni political commentator Saddam al-Huraibi said dominating Marib's oil and gas resources has been a Houthi goal for more than a decade. Marib also lies on the easiest road from northern Yemen to Shabwa Governorate in the south, which has a seafront on the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea.

Fighting in Taiz

Heated battles are taking place in western Taiz, where government forces supported by Saudi Arabia are now on the counteroffensive. A video released on Monday by the Yemeni army purports to show Houthi positions and vehicles being bombed in Taiz. The International Organization for Migration reported that more than 85,000 people have been forced to flee their homes since the beginning of September. More than 2,000 Yemenis have fled to Djibouti's northern shores as fighting intensifies.

Analyst Assessments

Adam Baron, a fellow at the Future Security Program of the New America think tank, called a Houthi capture of Marib a 'watershed moment' for the country's internal dynamics. Baron said losing Marib would be an 'absolute crushing defeat' for the forces of Yemen's internationally recognised government. He added that government forces will see the battle for Marib as an existential war, making it a tough fight for the Houthis.