TAIZ — Yemen’s internationally recognized government forces have claimed to have taken control of Mount Qarfan in Taiz province following clashes with Houthi fighters.
Government-aligned forces said the operation resulted in the capture of the strategic mountain position, which they described as important for monitoring surrounding areas and improving their defensive and operational positions.
The reported development comes amid continued fighting in parts of Taiz, where government forces and Houthi forces have remained engaged in intermittent clashes despite broader efforts to reduce violence across Yemen.
Military positions in the mountainous Taiz governorate have strategic importance because of the region’s difficult terrain and its proximity to key roads and population centers. Control of elevated positions can provide forces with improved visibility and defensive advantages.
The circumstances surrounding the reported takeover, including the extent of territorial changes and casualties, remain unclear. Houthi forces have not been independently confirmed to have lost the position, and battlefield claims from either side can be difficult to verify independently.
The reported capture of Mount Qarfan, if confirmed, would represent another shift in the military situation around Taiz as Yemen’s prolonged conflict continues to involve competing territorial and political interests.
