Houthi control of the southern highlands would increase the threat to shipping through Bab el-Mandeb

Houthi forces are attempting to seize the Kahboub Mountains and routes separating the Red Sea coast from government-held southern Yemen. Control of these positions would consolidate their recent territorial gains and obstruct a government counteroffensive. The UN reported nearly 700 deaths and approximately 130,000 internal displacements. Reuters could not verify the report that Donald Trump cancelled planned U.S. strikes.