Fierce fighting on Yemen’s western coast, but neither side advances: report from Taiz

Heavy fighting in Yemen continues with no significant territorial gains for either side, reports journalist Hadeel al-Yamani from Taiz for Al Jazeera. Military operations by government forces, backed by warplanes and drones, are being carried out along several fronts stretching across the north and west of the country.

The most prominent and fiercest front is the western coast, along the mountain range stretching from the western outskirts of Taiz toward Lahj. The clashes there are described as extremely intense: government forces are still engaged in heavy fighting with the Houthis, in an effort to stop the attacks the group has undertaken for several days to take control of that strategic zone.

The area is surrounded by a mountain range offering defense in two directions — not only the western coast, Bab al-Mandeb and Mocha, but also Taiz province from the interior and surrounding rural areas. In the interior, neither side is making significant progress, and due to the extremely challenging strategic position, it is hard to speak of any advance by any force.

The reporting comes amid a broad escalation in Yemen: the Houthis, allies of Iran, have intensified attacks on Saudi-backed government forces, while the U.S.–Iran war continues after the joint U.S.–Israeli strikes of February.

The western coast and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait have taken on critical importance since Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, with maritime traffic at reduced levels and alternative oil routes under threat.

Source: Al Jazeera — U.S.–Iran war liveblog, September 21, 2026 (reporting from Taiz, Yemen — Hadeel al-Yamani).