Southern Giants Brigades and Yemeni government forces cut key road near Bab al-Mandeb

On Oct 5, forces linked to the former Southern Transitional Council, notably the Southern Giants Brigades, teamed up with Yemen’s internationally recognised government troops to launch a major offensive near the strategic Bab al-Mandeb strait. The operation, aimed at driving the Iran-backed Houthis from seized coastal areas, succeeded in cutting the main road that connects the Red Sea port of Mocha with the strait. This achievement represents a rare large-scale gain for anti-Houthi forces since the war began.

The campaign follows President Rashid al-Alimi’s call for a nationwide offensive and highlights the pragmatic alliance between southern separatist-aligned units and national forces. The Giants Brigades, commanded by Abd al-Rahman Abu Zaraa al-Muharrami, have a history of UAE support and have previously fought in Hodeidah and Marib, blurring the line between separatist and national loyalties. Southern leaders such as Aidarous al-Zubaidi and Anwar al-Tamimi framed the advance as protecting the former South Yemen borders, while critics note the display of southern flags among some fighters.