Houthis push toward strategic Kahboub highlands near Bab al-Mandab

Houthi forces in Yemen are pressing toward the strategic Kahboub mountain area across parts of Taiz and Lahij provinces, according to five Yemeni military sources cited by Reuters on September 21. The sources said control of the heights could strengthen Houthi positions between the Red Sea coast and southern areas held by Saudi-backed forces, while also complicating logistics and movement for their opponents. The latest push follows recent Houthi gains around the Bab al-Mandab corridor, one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints. Reuters separately reported that U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Yemeni President Rashad al-Alimi but made no direct pledge of U.S. military support. Reuters also cited a New York Times report that planned U.S. airstrikes had been called off at the last moment; Reuters said it could not independently verify that account, and the White House had not confirmed it.