Houthis advance toward Mokha and Bab al-Mandab, expanding control

The Houthis are advancing toward Mokha and Bab al-Mandab, expanding their military control after fierce battles and a large-scale retreat and withdrawal by Saudi-backed Yemeni forces. At the same time, UAE-backed Yemeni forces withdrew from battles against Saudi-backed Yemeni forces, moved south, and began taking control of areas in southern Yemen that had been under Saudi-backed Yemeni control. The sources say Saudi-backed Yemeni forces lost areas of control in southern and northern Yemen to the Houthis and to UAE-backed Yemeni forces, amid talk of abandonment and the lack of direct air force intervention alongside them.