Yemeni forces seize Mount Qarfan in Taiz, disrupting Houthi defenses

Yemen's Saudi-backed government forces claim full control of strategic Mount Qarfan in Taiz governorate after battling Iran-aligned Houthi fighters, a move disrupting Houthi defenses and impacting their Red Sea coast advances. Government troops, assisted by local fighters, secured the mountain on Tuesday, with Major General Abdulaziz al-Majidi reporting five Houthi fighters killed and 20 wounded. The position provides commanding fire control and surveillance over valleys between ash-Shamaytaun and al-Waziiya districts, though Houthis offered no immediate comment. The clashes occur amid regional tensions from the US-Israel war on Iran, with Houthis having seized Red Sea coast areas including Mocha port this month. Analysts say control of these heights overlooking Bab al-Mandeb strait could shield Houthi coastal forces or sever government-held south, while WHO reports 674 killed since August 6 and over 158,000 displaced this month.