**Title: Yemen’s Army Claims Recapture of Key Territory Amid Ongoing Clashes with Houthis**
**Published: September 4, 2026**
Yemen's army announced on Friday that it has successfully recaptured strategically significant territory in the ongoing conflict with Houthi rebels. The fighting continues to escalate in the southwest regions of the country, particularly in the Jabal Habashi district, located west of Taiz city.
According to a military statement, Yemeni government forces have regained control of the al-Khazan and al-Makahna hills, key positions that overlook the surrounding areas. This development comes as clashes between government troops and Houthi fighters have intensified over the past few days.
The conflict has seen heavy fighting in both western Taiz and southern Hodeidah, two governorates along the Red Sea coast. The Houthis launched a broad offensive on Thursday, which has resulted in significant casualties on both sides. A Houthi source reported that more than 100 fighters have died since the offensive began, while Yemeni military officials confirmed that at least 24 government troops were killed near the west coast, and an additional 15 in Taiz. Medical sources in Houthi-controlled areas have also reported at least 42 Houthi fighters killed.
The violence has not been limited to military personnel; several civilians were reported killed and others injured due to a ballistic missile attack that struck a restaurant in the coastal city of al-Makha (Mocha). According to state-run Saba TV, this incident is part of a broader escalation that has resulted in over 120 fatalities across Yemen since the Houthis initiated their advance.
The Houthis are reportedly aiming to seize control of the hills that overlook the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and al-Makha, a strategic location for maritime navigation. A Yemeni official based in Aden, the seat of the internationally recognized government, indicated that the Houthis have captured several territories in western Taiz, including a crucial military base.
In response to the Houthi advances, the Yemeni government has reportedly sent reinforcements to bolster its defenses in the affected areas. Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Sanaa, Yousef Mawry, noted that the Houthi offensive appears to be focused on gaining territory leading towards the city and Red Sea port of al-Makha. The port city is of particular importance as it overlooks the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a vital maritime route connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden.
The Houthis previously controlled al-Makha until they were expelled by government forces and the Saudi-led coalition in 2017. Since then, the group has declared a naval blockade against Saudi Arabia, indicating a strategic interest in the region that could have implications for future conflicts involving Saudi Arabia or Israel.
As the situation continues to develop, both sides are preparing for further confrontations, with the potential for increased casualties and further humanitarian crises in a country already ravaged by years of civil war.