Houthis push into Kahboub Mountains overlooking Bab al-Mandeb

September 22, 2026 at 07:47 PM2 min

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Houthi forces are advancing into the Kahboub Mountains after seizing much of Yemen's Red Sea coast this month. The push brings fighting to highlands overlooking the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a key global shipping route. The offensive has ended a relative calm that had largely held since 2022.

Key Facts

The Kahboub Mountains span parts of Yemen's Lahj and Taiz governorates, with some heights about 40 km (25 miles) from the Bab al-Mandeb strait.
The Houthis have said they do not intend to target US shipping and would limit attacks to vessels linked to Saudi Arabia.
The New York Times reported that US President Donald Trump came close to ordering air attacks against the Houthis on Sunday, only to call them off at the last minute.
Britain said it will support Saudi Arabia with defensive refuelling.

Strategic Importance of Kahboub

Kahboub's strategic value stems from its proximity to the Bab al-Mandeb strait, which connects the Indian Ocean to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. Some heights lie about 40 km (25 miles) from the waterway, providing commanding views across a stretch of the Red Sea through which a significant share of global maritime trade and millions of barrels of oil pass each day. Experts said the mountains are unlikely to serve directly as a launchpad for attacks in the Red Sea. Their more immediate importance for the Houthis lies in securing the territory the group has already captured, with the mountains acting as a natural wall protecting the Houthis' rear on the coast.

Houthi Offensive and International Response

The Houthis are attempting to push into the Kahboub Mountains after seizing much of Yemen's Red Sea coast in a lightning offensive this month. The renewed fighting with forces aligned with Yemen's Saudi-backed, internationally recognised government has ended the relative calm that had largely held since 2022. The Houthi advance has taken on added urgency after The New York Times reported that US President Donald Trump came close to ordering air attacks against the Houthis on Sunday, only to call them off at the last minute. Britain, meanwhile, said it will support Saudi Arabia with defensive refuelling.