Yemen: Resistance Forces Repel Major Houthi Offensive in Lahj

Heavy clashes erupted early Friday in the المقاطرة district of Lahj governorate and adjacent areas of طور الباحة, as Houthi forces launched a wide-scale assault. Forces from the First Commando Brigade – National Resistance, and the Fourth Hazm Brigade are actively repelling the offensive.

Field sources reported that the Houthi militia deployed substantial military reinforcements, including over 40 vehicles and military hardware, via the هيجة العبد area towards سوق الربوع in المقاطرة. This advance was accompanied by continuous attacks since approximately 2 AM, originating from the حيفان, هيجة العبد, الصحى road, and الصوالحة fronts, utilizing heavy weaponry. The militia's offensive included intense artillery shelling, aimed at supporting their advancing troops and achieving a breakthrough toward سوق الربوع, الزريقة, and المقاطرة, with the ultimate objective of reaching طور الباحة. This maneuver is part of an effort to outflank military positions and advance towards the coastal route.

Concurrently, sources indicated that Houthi forces have been shelling residential areas in طور الباحة district with mortar and artillery shells since the early morning hours. These attacks, launched from their positions in the mountains of حيفان and الآثاور, including the شرف الجاهلي site, pose a significant threat to civilian safety in the targeted regions.

In response, warplanes conducted airstrikes targeting Houthi gatherings and reinforcements in the هيجة العبد and northern الراهدة areas. These strikes included two raids on Houthi concentrations in هيجة العبد and three others targeting militia positions and assemblies, providing support to the defending forces and countering the attack.

Footage circulating online showed a Houthi military vehicle traversing the نقيل كربة road in المقاطرة district, raising concerns about the impact of military movements on civilian safety and transit.

Sources confirmed that confrontations are ongoing across multiple fronts. The defending forces and resistance fighters continue to resist the Houthi attacks and attempted advances. This follows the withdrawal of forces from the طور الباحة axis, led by Abu Bakr Al-Jeboli, from جبل عنعن, which connects the عزلة الأحكوم area with neighboring regions. The Houthi militia has since gained control of this elevated position, which directly overlooks سوق الربوع. Simultaneously, the militia is attempting to advance from the directions of الهيجة and القلعة, aiming to breach the defensive lines.