Yemeni Army forces said they recaptured five hills in Al-Dhabab district in southwestern Taiz governorate after a week of heavy fighting with Houthi militants there. 

The Taiz Military Axis released a statement on Tuesday saying that government forces took control of five strategic hills – Al-Theyab, Al-Tharwa, Al-Madheedh, Al-Ra'I and Al-Zahir – as well as Wadi Haramyah in Al-Dhabab, which overlooks the strategic Bab Al-Mandab Strait that connects the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.

“The liberation of the five hills enables government forces to take full control of Al-Khalwah hill and Al-Sawdaa’ hill in the Al-Ruba’ee area in western Taiz,” the statement said.

The Yemeni military advances came after about a week of clashes with the Houthis, who the army says intensified artillery shelling of villages in Al-Dhabab district, as well as in the old airport neighborhoods and at the central prison in Taiz City.