Fighting has intensified in western Yemen as Houthi forces battle Saudi-backed government troops for control of strategic mountain positions overlooking the Red Sea.

The latest clashes are centred on the Kahboub Mountains in Taiz and Lahij provinces. The rugged heights overlook the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and Mayyun Island, giving whoever controls them an important position along one of the world’s key shipping routes.

The Houthis have recently expanded their presence along Yemen’s western coast, including the port of Mocha and Mayyun Island. Their advance towards Kahboub appears aimed at securing their positions along the coast and cutting off government-held areas farther south.

“Kahboub is now the main battlefield,” Al Jazeera correspondent Maha Ali reported from Taiz, citing the strategic importance of the mountains and their view of Mayyun Island.

The fighting comes as tensions across the region remain high following the US-Israel war on Iran. The New York Times reported that US President Donald Trump had ordered strikes on the Houthis on Sunday but later called them off.

The Houthi leadership has warned Washington against direct military intervention. Any new US involvement could further widen a conflict already linked to the wider regional confrontation.

The latest escalation has also taken a heavy toll on civilians. Officials say at least 674 people have been killed and more than 158,000 displaced.

The battle for Kahboub is being closely watched beyond Yemen. The mountains sit near the Bab al-Mandeb, a narrow maritime gateway connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden. Any prolonged fighting around the area could create further risks for shipping through the waterway.

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