Saudi-Backed Yemeni Forces Retake Key Strait from Houthis in Lightning Advance

Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces staged a lightning advance on Monday to retake the coast around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait up to the city of Mocha, according to government officials. The operation pushed the Iran-backed Houthis out of most of the areas they had seized last month. The Bab el-Mandeb Strait is a critical chokepoint for global shipping, making control of the area strategically vital. FRANCE 24's Monte Francis reports on the rapid offensive and its implications for the conflict in Yemen. The Houthis had made significant gains in recent weeks, but the government forces, supported by a Saudi-led coalition, managed to reverse many of those gains in a matter of days. The fighting has caused civilian casualties and displaced thousands. The recapture of the strait is a major victory for the Saudi-backed government, but the war is far from over. The Houthis remain a formidable force, and the humanitarian crisis continues to worsen. The international community is urging restraint and a return to peace talks, but the situation on the ground remains volatile.