PNN – The Yemeni armed forces’ operation—codenamed “And Allah is Mightier in Prowess and Mightier in Punishment”—launched along the country’s western coast, has rapidly shifted the field and strategic dynamics of the Yemen war into a new phase.
This extensive operation, which began on September 3rd, saw the capture of vast areas in the Taiz and Al-Hudaydah governorates, the fall of the strategic port of Al-Mukha, and an advance toward the Bab al-Mandab Strait; ultimately, it resulted in the deployment of Yemeni forces to areas overlooking the strait and to strategic islands in the southern Red Sea.
On Friday, September 11, the spokesman for the Yemeni armed forces announced that the operation “By Allah, [He is] Stronger in Might and Stronger in Severity of Punishment”—which began on September 3—has resulted in the withdrawal of Saudi-backed forces from six districts in Taiz and Al-Hudaydah and the liberation of approximately 5,400 square kilometers of territory. Yahya Saree further stated that during this operation, Yemeni forces targeted seven divisions—comprising 38 military brigades—and killed, wounded, or captured hundreds of opposing troops.
However, the significance of this operation is not limited merely to the extent of territory captured or the number of casualties. What has transformed this battle from a tactical victory into a strategic shift is the repositioning of the Yemeni resistance relative to the critical maritime route in the southern Red Sea, the undermining of the operational depth of Saudi-backed forces, and the alteration of calculations in both Riyadh and Washington.
- Bab al-Mandab: From Threat to Strategic Leverage
The most significant achievement of the recent operations lies in the shift in the position of Yemeni fighters regarding the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Bab al-Mandab is not merely a local waterway; it serves as the southern gateway to the Red Sea and the connecting route between the Gulf of Aden, the Red Sea, and—further along—the Suez Canal. Consequently, any military development along Yemen’s western coast can directly impact the security of shipping, energy transport, and the economic calculations of regional and extra-regional powers.
In recent days, following an advance along the western coast, Ansarullah forces seized control of Al-Mukha and pushed toward Dhubab; reports also indicated their arrival at Mayun Island, located in the heart of the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Western media outlets, noting the fall of the Al-Ardi area, also reported that Yemeni forces had secured control over the Bab al-Mandab coast.
From this perspective, the Yemeni resistance’s primary achievement is not merely drawing closer to Bab al-Mandab, but rather establishing new operational depth in the vicinity of one of the world’s most critical trade chokepoints—a position that, if consolidated, could significantly boost Sana’a’s bargaining power.
- The Fall of Al-Mukha: The Collapse of a Key Coastal Stronghold for Riyadh-Backed Forces
For the forces opposing Ansarullah, Al-Mukha was more than just a coastal city; it was a vital military and logistical hub for Saudi- and UAE-backed forces along Yemen’s western coast.
The capture of this port signifies the loss of a crucial strategic foothold for forces aligned with the Saudi-led coalition on the Red Sea coast. A report by the Institute for the Study of War confirms that, prior to its fall, Al-Mukha served as the operational and logistical center for the National Resistance forces commanded by Tariq Saleh; its loss has diminished the capacity of the Riyadh-backed government forces to counter Ansarullah’s movements along the western coast.
For this reason, the fall of Al-Mukha must be viewed as more than a mere geographical shift; this development has struck at one of the key pillars of the military architecture established by Saudi Arabia and its allies along Yemen’s western coast.
- Withdrawal of Saudi-backed forces from six districts; altering the geographical depth of the conflict
According to the spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, Saudi-backed forces have been driven out of six districts across the Taiz and Al-Hudaydah governorates—areas covering a total of approximately 5,400 square kilometers. This figure is significant because, unlike some limited skirmishes of the past, the recent operation was not focused merely on capturing a single point or base; rather, it targeted a continuous axis stretching from the western fronts of Taiz to the coast of Al-Hudaydah.
International media have also reported that Ansarullah advanced along the western coast during this operation, forcing Saudi-backed government forces to retreat. Indeed, the September 3rd operation can be viewed as an attempt to alter the geometry of the war; rather than engaging in a war of attrition along static lines, Yemeni forces sought to create a breach in the coastal axis, thereby restricting the ability of Riyadh-aligned forces to penetrate deep into western Yemen.
- A Blow to the Military Structure of Saudi-Backed Forces
Yahya Saree has announced that seven divisions—comprising 38 military brigades—were targeted during this operation, with hundreds of opposing troops killed, wounded, or captured. The significance of this event lies in the implications for the structure of forces deployed along the West Coast. Over the past years, rather than maintaining a massive direct presence, Saudi Arabia had organized a network of local forces, military units, and allied armed groups to sustain its influence in the region; the defeat of these forces has effectively raised the cost of Riyadh’s reliance on proxy forces.
- The Release of Prisoners: A Humanitarian Achievement with a Military Message
Another development announced by the spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces is the release of a number of Yemeni prisoners during the operation. Some reports indicate the liberation of a significant number of troops who had been held by Saudi-backed forces in coastal areas.
Beyond its humanitarian aspect, this development holds military significance; the release of friendly forces means the return of experienced personnel to the resistance’s operational structure, while simultaneously depleting the adversary’s manpower. In wars of attrition, the exchange or release of prisoners is not merely a humanitarian issue; it can directly impact troop morale, organizational cohesion, and the capacity to reconstitute combat units.
- The Failure of the Saudi-Emirati Model and the Rising Cost of Intervention in Yemen
One significant consequence of the recent operations is the blow dealt to the image Saudi Arabia and the UAE had cultivated over the years regarding their ability to manage developments in southern and western Yemen. Crucially, the forces present on Yemen’s West Coast were not merely local units; rather, a collection of armed groups backed by Riyadh and Abu Dhabi operated in the region. With the fall of Al-Mukha and the withdrawal of forces stationed along the coast, a portion of this security and military network has been disrupted.
This development carries a political message for Yemeni public opinion and the broader Arab region: reliance on the financial, military, and aerial support of foreign powers does not necessarily equate to the ability to hold one’s ground on the battlefield. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s reaction indicates that Riyadh does not view this development as merely an ordinary internal conflict within Yemen. Citing media reports, a Mehr news agency report indicates that Mohammed bin Salman is seeking greater direct support from the United States and increased intelligence assistance from Washington.
In other words, the operations in Yemen are imposing a strategic cost on Saudi Arabia: Riyadh once again finds itself in need of foreign support to maintain the balance on the Yemeni front.
- Captured Equipment and Technology Transfer: A Potential Asset for the Next Phase of the Battle
A significant point regarding the recent operation is the acquisition by Yemeni forces of military equipment and assets left behind by retreating troops in coastal areas; a report by the Institute for the Study of War indicates that government forces and their allies abandoned some Saudi military equipment during their rapid withdrawal from Al-Mukha.
In this context, the matter of radar equipment and identification systems holds particular significance. If reports regarding the acquisition of modern radar equipment from abandoned positions are confirmed, this could prove to be one of the operation’s most important non-territorial achievements; for in modern warfare, target detection and identification—along with situational awareness regarding air and maritime environments—are often just as crucial as the weaponry itself.
A More Significant Achievement: Cohesion of the Northern Front
Beyond direct military gains, the recent operation conveys a crucial message regarding the internal cohesion of Yemeni forces. Yemeni armed forces have announced that the operation was carried out with broad participation from the public and tribal communities. This indicates that the operation was not confined solely to military units; rather, it mobilized a portion of the social and tribal capacity within the affected regions to provide support.
From this perspective, one of the most significant outcomes of the September 3rd operation could be the strengthening of cohesion on the northern front and the transformation of a military achievement into social and political capital—a factor of particular importance in the protracted war in Yemen.
Why has the Bab al-Mandeb Strait gained greater importance?
The significance of the operations in Yemen is best understood when considering the role of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait in global energy and trade dynamics. This strait connects the Red Sea—and by extension, the Suez Canal—to the Indian Ocean; any insecurity there could force vessels to take longer routes around Africa. Past maritime attacks have demonstrated that even a relatively limited threat in this region can alter the decisions of major shipping companies.
Amid the current situation, where the region is grappling with a simultaneous crisis in the Strait of Hormuz and pressure on energy markets, the importance of the Bab al-Mandeb has intensified significantly. For this reason, the advance of Yemeni forces along the western coast is not merely a development within the context of Yemen’s civil war; rather, it could become part of a broader equation involving energy security, maritime navigation, and regional deterrence.
From “Ground Victory” to “Geopolitical Leverage”
The operation of September 3rd can be viewed as the point of convergence for three dimensions of the Yemeni resistance’s power: ground, naval, and political. On the ground, Yemeni forces have successfully advanced along the western coast, wresting control of key locations—such as Al-Mukha—from opposing forces.
At the naval level, their approach to the Bab al-Mandab Strait and their presence on islands and in areas overlooking it have created a new capacity to influence Red Sea security. Politically, these developments have impacted the calculations of Saudi Arabia, the United States, and other regional actors; indeed, international media have assessed Ansarullah’s advance along the western coast as a significant development for the security of shipping and energy supplies.
Therefore, the September 3rd operation cannot be viewed merely as another military operation in the Yemen war. Should the gains on the ground be consolidated, this operation could alter the power dynamics in the southern Red Sea region.
Seven Achievements Stemming from a New Equation
The outcome of recent developments can be summarized in seven key points: the approach toward and increased operational control over the Bab al-Mandab Strait; the fall of Al-Mukha—the most important coastal base for Saudi-backed forces; the withdrawal of Saudi troops from six districts and the capture of approximately 5,400 square kilometers of territory (according to Sana’a); a severe blow to the military structure of Riyadh-backed forces; the release of a number of Yemeni prisoners; the strengthening of cohesion within the domestic front and among northern tribes; and, finally, the potential acquisition of military equipment and infrastructure left behind at the positions of the retreating forces.
Yet, more significant than all these factors, a new reality is taking shape: Ansarullah is no longer merely a force based deep within Yemen; it has evolved into an actor whose geographic position is directly linked to the security of the Bab al-Mandab Strait, the Red Sea, and global energy and trade routes. Should this position be consolidated, the operation of September 3rd could be regarded as a turning point in the Yemen war—a moment where a battlefield victory has gained the potential to transform into a strategic lever against Saudi Arabia and its foreign backers.