Houthis battle for strategic heights in Yemen as thousands more flee homes

Fighting intensifies as US media say Trump called off strikes against Houthis at the last minute on Sunday. Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi marks takeover anniversary as Yemen conflict continues Fighting continues to rage in Yemen, as Houthi rebels battle Saudi-backed government forces for control of strategic mountains near the Red Sea, and the leader of the Iran-aligned group accused the United States of considering direct military involvement in the conflict. The clashes on Monday come amid mounting regional tensions set off by the US and Israel’s war on Iran. They also follow a report by The New York Times that US President Donald Trump had ordered air attacks against the Houthis on Sunday, only to call them off at the last minute.

The renewed hostilities have killed at least 674 people and displaced more than 158,000, officials said. According to Al Jazeera witnesses, the Houthis – who seized Yemen’s Red Sea coast this month, including the port of Mocha – are now battling to take the Kahboub Mountains in Taiz and Lahj provinces. Control of the strategic heights, which overlook the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and Mayyun Island in the Red Sea, would allow the Houthis to sever the coast from the remaining government-held south. “Since the Houthis entered Mocha and seized control of the port and later took Mayyun