Aden-A Yemeni military official asserted that the National Army and the Popular Resistance almost completely control the strategic region of Kahboub overlooking the international strait of Bab al-Mandab. The official said that the Yemeni forces also continue to exhaust rebel militias with several means of combat.

Commander of the Kahboub operations General Jalal al-Qadi told Asharq Al-Awsat that several hit and run clashes were currently taking place between Yemeni forces and Houthi militias in the mountains of Hajijah and Qaleh and in al-Tabab.

The area is formed by a mountain range stretching from the al-Taqiya-al-Ardi point, 12 kilometers east of Bab al-Mandab, passing through the outskirts of Zabab in the Taiz province, which is controlled by rebels.

The Yemeni commander said that militias made several attempts to encircle the National Army and the Resistance in the strategic Kahboub mountains. “But, they failed,” he said.

Al-Qadi said that the national army and the resistance are directing their attacks towards the mountain range area overlooking Kahboub to prevent militias from advancing through the mountains leading to Bab al-Mandab.

The Yemeni commander stated militias were desperate to reach Bab al-Mandab. But, he added that their attempts were impossible despite the presence of well-trained rebel units.

The military official said the heroic and highly-trained forces of the Third Brigade were able to defeat the militias on the frontlines of Kahboub.

Al-Qadi said the militias were desperate to reaching the mountain range east of the strategic Kahboub region, located 18 kilometers away from Bab al-Mandab.

The commander said that the Yemeni Army and the Popular Resistance were now advancing on the outskirts of northern Zabab in Taiz province.

“In case the legitimate forces advance to Zabab, the supply line of militias in Zabab-Omri-Bab al-Mandab will be attacked by the army and the resistance,” he said.