SANAA, 5 September, 2026 (Nosheen) – Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched a major offensive against government forces, triggering some of the country’s deadliest clashes in years and leaving nearly 130 people dead. The fighting erupted on Thursday after the Houthis launched ground assaults alongside rocket and drone attacks near coastal areas in an effort to strengthen their control over the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait. According to military and medical sources, the death toll rose to 129, including 66 government-affiliated fighters and at least 62 Houthi militants. The Houthis have seized elevated positions overlooking government-held areas near the Red Sea and Taiz, raising concerns that they could use the strategic locations to target shipping. The offensive also aims to cut off the government-held port city of Mokha and advance toward areas bordering Bab al-Mandab. The escalation comes as tensions remain high across the Middle East amid the ongoing US-Iran conflict and a sharp decline in traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Yemen’s prolonged civil war has entered another dangerous phase, with the Houthis seeking greater control over the Red Sea and key maritime routes. The developments have raised fresh concerns over regional security and the safety of one of the world’s busiest shipping corridors.