Houthi coastal advances stall amid geography, resistance, counterattacks

Houthi forces are struggling to consolidate gains on Yemen's western coast due to difficult terrain, local opposition, and intensified government counteroffensives. The article assesses the sustainability of their positions, noting that control remains contested and fluid. This matters because the western coast is strategically vital for access to the Red Sea and the port of Hodeidah, a key humanitarian and commercial hub.