Al-Jawf has become a new focal point in the conflict between forces aligned with Yemen’s internationally recognised government and the Houthis, highlighting the strategic importance of the northern governorate.
asserted
Jawf → become → governorate
A major counteroffensive has been launched by the Yemeni government army and forces loyal to it to capture the strategic heights east of the provincial capital, al-Hazm, from the Houthis.
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counteroffensive → launch → Houthis
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fighting → displace → Jawf
The operations are part of Operation Dawn of Yemen, launched by the government last month to reverse Houthi territorial gains and restore state control in the country.
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operations → launch → country
Al-Hazm has become a central part of this operation, with the city a potential launchpad for government forces against the Houthis.
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city → become → Houthis
They have controlled the capital Sanaa and most of northern Yemen since the war broke out in September 2014.
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war → control → September
During the 12 years of war in Yemen, control over al-Hazm has shifted several times, with the Houthis seizing the city in March 2020.
asserted
Houthis → shift → March
The governorate remains highly coveted due to its expansive border with Saudi Arabia and its direct geographic links to five pivotal governorates: Hadramout, Saada, Sanaa, Amran and oil-rich Marib and close to the capital, Sanaa.
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governorate → remain → capital
Al-Jawf also acts as a vital defensive shield for Marib, controlled by government forces, preventing the Houthis from advancing into the eastern regions.
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Jawf → act → regions
Field Commander Colonel Rabie Al-Qurashi said government forces have been able to win complete control over the strategic Huwaishan mountain range, east of al-Hazm city.
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forces → say → city
He said it is the first line of defence for the Houthis in the eastern axis and control over the rugged region would give government forces the ability to disrupt rebel supply routes.
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control → say → routes
“Government forces succeeded in breaking that defensive format with partial control over the Al-Alam front road,” Al-Qurashi said.
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Qurashi → succeed → road
“The government advance represents a beginning to tighten the noose on the Houthis in the upper al-Labanat camp,” which is regarded as a vital eastern gateway to Sanaa.
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which → represent → Sanaa
Ali Al-Dahab, a military and strategic affairs researcher, said there are immense tactical benefits from holding this elevated terrain.
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Dahab → say → terrain
“The recent advances of government forces in Al-Jawf are a military transformation that serves the course of future operations for their arrival to al-Hazm city,” Al-Dahab told Al Jazeera.
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Dahab → serve → Jazeera
“The government forces’ recovery of a number of heights there provides a military and psychological morale advantage and confuses the Houthis’ decisions, in addition to granting government forces monitoring, movement, and observation of Houthi supply lines and securing their own lines.”
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recovery → provide → lines
Military spokesman Majed Abdullah Al-Nuzaili said on X that recent military operations against Houthi positions in al-Jawf were “inflicting losses on the militia’s capabilities”.
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operations → say → capabilities
The government dominates the vast eastern desert district of Khabb wa ash Sha’af, representing 82 percent of the governorate’s total area.
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government → dominate → area
The Houthis control the provincial capital, al-Hazm, and 10 other districts.
asserted
Houthis → control → capital
Security and political affairs researcher Brigadier General Ahmed Al-Awadhi stressed the importance of “continuous but not rapid” government advances in the area.
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Awadhi → stress → area
“The advances of government forces in Al-Jawf cannot be ignored or their importance underestimated,” Al-Awadhi told Al Jazeera.
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Awadhi → ignore → Jazeera
“Control over heights or mountain ranges in the desert Al-Jawf governorate represents points of military strength regardless of their proximity to or distance from the governorate capital.”
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Control → represent → capital
The government forces advances in al-Jawf highlight a historical vulnerability for the Houthis, having suffered repeated defeats in battles in desert and open areas, he added.
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he → highlight → areas
The developments coincide with the Presidential Council’s appointment of Major General Amin Ali Al-Akimi as governor and military commander of al-Jawf.
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developments → coincide → Jawf
“[His] reappointment… comes within the context of restructuring the theatre of operations and unifying the front,” Ibrahim Jalal, a Yemen-focused analyst told Al Jazeera.
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Jalal → come → Jazeera
“Hailing from Dhu Hussein, a branch of the Daham Bakil tribe, Al-Akimi possesses tribal and military influence that could help mobilise tribes, overcome divisions and bolster momentum on the ground.
uncertain
that → hail → ground
However, translating this influence into sustainable gains remains contingent upon unifying command and control, coordinating operations across all battlefronts, securing military and logistical support and strengthening anti-corruption efforts to improve the efficient management of military resources.
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translating → translate → resources
”
The Houthis say they have thwarted advances by government forces in al-Jawf and Marib.
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they → say → Jawf
Fighting has continued in other parts of Yemen as Houthi-affiliated media reported air strikes on an oil company facility in the Bajil district of Hodeidah, which coincide with fierce fighting further south.
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which → continue → fighting
Government forces repelled Houthi attacks in al-Aqroudh and on the Tur al-Baha front in Lahij governorate.
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forces → repel → governorate
Intense fighting continues in Taiz governorate.
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fighting → continue → governorate
The siege of Taiz City continues to strain medical infrastructure, with deliveries of food and fuel severely restricted.
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deliveries → continue → food
Civilians remain at risk from sniper fire from surrounding hillsides, authorities have warned.
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authorities → remain → hillsides
Governor Nabil Shamsan said that hospitals are working at only 20 percent capacity, with 120 health centres entirely shut due to the siege.
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centres → say → siege
“We urge the international community to secure at least one safe route between Taiz and Aden to enable citizen movement and the smooth entry of services, essential materials and goods,” Shamsan appealed to Al Jazeera.
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Shamsan → urge → Jazeera
More than 300,000 people have fled their homes in western Yemen due to the escalating fighting, leaving civilians highly vulnerable.
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people → flee → civilians
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