The strategic victory achieved by the Ansar Allah movement marked a major development in the battle, Ansar Allah Political Bureau member Dhaifallah al-Shami said, adding that the Bab al-Mandab Strait was now fully secure following a major defeat suffered by its adversaries.

Speaking to Al Mayadeen on Sunday, al-Shami said the forces currently being mobilized consisted of mercenaries recruited by Saudi Arabia in exchange for money after the Yemeni people had been subjected to starvation. He added that Saudi officers had left Lahij province for Aden two days earlier, amid confusion and fragmentation among the recruited forces.

Al-Shami stressed that residents of Yemen's southern provinces were not targets, saying the movement's sole objective was to secure the Bab al-Mandab Strait. He reassured residents that they were now safer and said the Yemeni people would continue fighting through all available means until Saudi Arabia ended its interference, control, and blockade of Yemen.

External alliances will not affect the situation on the ground

He also said that external alliances would not change the situation on the ground. Warning against other countries joining Saudi Arabia's war on Yemen, al-Shami said such involvement would be a gamble and stressed that Ansar Allah was prepared to confront any coalition. He warned that countries joining Saudi Arabia would face "unfavorable responses."

Al-Shami further said the Yemeni people would not overlook any lives lost and would demand the reconstruction of every building and facility destroyed during the war.

Addressing developments in the southern provinces, he reiterated that Ansar Allah's battle was focused on defending the Bab al-Mandab Strait and that advancing into southern provinces was not part of its plans. He said the movement had no intention of heading toward Aden but would target any military camps or gathering points used by recruited forces preparing to fight, regardless of their location.

Al-Shami concluded that direct talks with Saudi Arabia could take place once Riyadh lifted its blockade and ended its interference in Yemen.

The statements came as Yemeni forces reported significant territorial gains in the southern provinces, announcing the capture of strategic positions overlooking the Bab al-Mandab Strait following weeks of clashes with Saudi-backed forces.

Yemeni forces seize over 3,000 square kilometers in Lahj and Taiz

The Yemeni Armed Forces have taken control of more than 3,000 square kilometers across Lahj and Taiz provinces following weeks of fighting with Saudi-backed forces, a senior Yemeni military source told Al Mayadeen on Sunday.

The source said tens of thousands of fighters from the Giants Brigades and the Nation's Shield Forces had been driven out of coastal areas overlooking the Bab al-Mandab Strait, as well as large parts of the al-Mudharaba and Ras al-Ara districts in Lahj. The advances also covered mountain ranges, strategic positions, coastal territory, and an airport.

The source said the offensive aimed to secure the Bab al-Mandab Strait and protect districts in Taiz from attacks by Saudi-backed military formations. Missile, drone, and air defense units played an active role in the weeks-long fighting.

It added that thousands of Saudi airstrikes had failed to prevent the retreat of the forces deployed in the area, which withdrew following operations by the Yemeni Army. Saudi-led forces under the command of Saudi officer Badr al-Harbi reportedly fled toward Aden, while hundreds of fighters, including field commanders, were captured.

Al Mayadeen's correspondent reported on Sunday that Saudi-backed forces had collapsed along the coastal strip overlooking the Bab al-Mandab Strait and in the Dhu Bab area of Taiz, allowing Yemeni forces to expand their control over positions overlooking the strategic waterway. The retreat came amid the advance of Yemeni forces and ballistic missile and rocket strikes on military camps in Lahj and Aden.

The source said the territorial gains would strengthen security around the Bab al-Mandab Strait and help ensure the continuity of maritime traffic through the waterway.