Houthi fighters advance on strategic Yemen highlands

Houthi fighters advanced Monday to seize strategic heights in Yemen's highlands, aiming to cut off the Red Sea coast from Saudi-backed government-held areas, following a report that US President Donald Trump called off planned air strikes on the group at the last minute. The Iran-backed Houthis, who control Yemen's capital since 2014, are pushing into the Kahboub Mountains in Taiz and Lahij provinces to consolidate gains from their recent lightning advance. The New York Times reported Trump cancelled Sunday's strikes even as bombs were being loaded, though Reuters could not verify this. Saudi Arabia has launched hundreds of strikes on Houthi positions in recent days. The escalation has killed nearly 700 people and displaced over 130,000 Yemenis, while threatening global energy supplies. Saudi oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz have surged to 2.9 million barrels daily from 700,000 in August, as the Houthi advance risks cutting off alternative Red Sea routes.