SANA’A (Dispatches) – The Yemeni Armed Forces, led by the Ansarullah movement, launched a major offensive against Saudi-backed mercenary groups across western Yemen on Saturday, securing key strategic positions in Taiz province as fighting along the Red Sea coast intensified for a third consecutive day.
Military sources confirmed that Sana’a forces made significant advances in the Jabal Habashi district of Taiz and its surroundings. Captured positions include the strategic Jabal Nu’man, the western heights of Bani Bakri, and mountain ranges overlooking the villages of Al-Afayrah, Al-Nuwaiha, and Al-Adhir. 
The fighting spread to the Al-Kadha front and the strategic Debs mountain range, where Yemeni forces clashed with groups loyal to Tariq Saleh and other Salafi factions affiliated with the Saudi-led coalition.
Clashes on the coastal axis around the city of Hays, south of Al-Hudaydah, were described by sources as the most intense in recent years. Despite attempts by Saudi mercenaries to retake lost ground, Sana’a forces have consolidated their positions and continued to make gains in the area.
In a separate operation, the Yemeni Armed Forces launched a ballistic missile attack on a key road in southern Taiz. A missile struck the Hayjat al-Abd road, a vital mountainous route linking Taiz with Lahj province. 
The Yemeni Armed Forces have also conducted a barrage of ballistic missiles and drones targeting Saudi-affiliated military positions in the Al-Mokha port area of Taiz province. 
Sources close to the Saudi coalition reported that at least 14 ballistic missiles were fired from positions in Ibb province toward Al-Mokha, causing significant damage to military and their port infrastructure.
In a direct warning issued on Saturday, the Yemeni Armed Forces cautioned against any new military movements by the Saudi-led coalition, stating that any gathering of Saudi-affiliated mercenaries would be considered a legitimate target. 
The military source stressed that Sana’a forces will confront with full force any preparations announced for a ground war.
The renewed fighting has triggered a severe humanitarian crisis, with nearly 1,800 families displaced in less than 48 hours from the Maqbanah and Jabal Habashi districts of Taiz. 
Aid groups have warned that emergency stocks are severely depleted and that telecoms disruptions are hampering relief efforts. 
Sana’a-based authorities have called on Yemenis serving the Saudi-led coalition to return to their homeland.