Aden (South24 Center)

The Southern Armed Forces launched a counteroffensive against the Iran-aligned Houthi militia near Bab al-Mandeb on Monday (October 5), as field sources reported the capture of Dhubab district and its military airport and the cutting of Houthi supply lines.

#عاجل |

فيديو: هروب عشرات العناصر من مليشيا الحوثيين عبر البحر في باب المندب بعد محاصرتهم من قبل العمالقة الجنوبية

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— South24 | عربي (@South24_net) October 5, 2026

The Southern Giants forces, one of the main formations of the Southern Armed Forces, announced the operation. A senior source told South24 Center that the Southern Giants alone had launched the offensive.

Military sources told South24 Center that the Southern Giants had captured positions around Bab al-Mandeb and cut Houthi supply lines into Dhubab. The media center of government-aligned forces also said the Giants had cut the road between Dhubab and Mokha and brought it under fire control.

Field sources reported the capture of dozens of Houthi fighters and the destruction of military vehicles and equipment, alongside deaths and injuries among the group’s fighters, without providing a confirmed toll.

#BREAKING 

Video documenting the arrival of the Southern Giants Forces at Al-Amri Camp in the Bab al-Mandeb area 

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— South24 | English (@South24E) October 5, 2026

The Southern forces’ advance follows Houthi gains across several areas of Taiz Governorate, including Al-Turbah and parts of Al-Mawasit district. A military source told South24 Center that the group’s advance along the road linking Taiz and Aden had left government forces besieged in Taiz city.

The Houthi advance also reached Al-Aloom, the home area of Presidential Leadership Council chairman Rashad Al-Alimi, where the group’s fighters took up positions around his house on Monday. Videos published by South24 Center on Sunday had shown Houthi fighters entering the house of Yemeni Parliament Speaker Sultan Al-Barakani in his home area in Taiz.

The Bab al-Mandeb operation coincided with Al-Alimi’s announcement of Operation “Dawn of Yemen” to restore state institutions and retake Sanaa. Saudi military spokesman Major General Turki Al-Maliki said 100 fighter jets had participated in the operation and 324 high-value targets had been destroyed, with air support continuing over Bab al-Mandeb and other fronts.

The Southern Giants have previously played a leading role in fighting along the western coast. In 2018, they spearheaded the offensive on Hodeidah, advancing into the city and close to its port, placing Houthi forces under mounting military pressure.

The offensive on the city was halted as part of the process that led to the Stockholm Agreement in December 2018, which stipulated a ceasefire and the redeployment of forces from Hodeidah city and the ports of Hodeidah, Salif and Ras Isa. The port remained outside the control of the advancing forces.