By SCM International Desk I Thursday, Sept 10, 2026
HAYS, Yemen — Saudi-backed forces in western Yemen were thrown into retreat after a massive ground and artillery offensive by Ansarallah fighters shattered defensive lines near the strategic crossroads town of Hays.
A senior commander from Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) acknowledged that pro-government troops had abandoned key frontline positions in large numbers. In a sharp public rebuke, the commander described the pullout as a act of “betrayal,” while insisting that loyal elements of his command would stand their ground and continue fighting.
Reports from the front lines indicate that Ansarallah, commonly known as the Houthis, launched a heavily coordinated assault supported by relentless standoff bombardment, including heavy artillery fire, drone attacks, and ballistic missile strikes.
The intensity of the shelling forced widespread withdrawals of coalition-aligned units toward the southern coastal highway leading to Al-Khokha and Mocha.
The rapid advance marks one of the most significant shifts along Yemen’s Red Sea coast in months. Hays serves as a crucial urban junction linking the coastal lowlands of Hodeidah province with inland supply routes reaching toward the besieged city of Taiz.
The loss of the city leaves remaining government-aligned positions south of the corridor deeply exposed.
Field accounts describe scenes of disarray as convoys of Saudi-backed forces pulled back under persistent fire. Communication channels across parts of the western front were reported broken or severed during the peak of the offensive, compounding operational confusion among local defensive units.
Despite the defensive collapse, the PLC commander vowed that remaining loyalist formations would mount a counterattack to contain the Houthi surge. However, local analysts warn that without immediate air support and heavy reinforcements from the Saudi-led coalition, stabilizing the frontline near Al-Khokha will prove difficult.
The push by Ansarallah comes as part of a broader, renewed campaign to consolidate control over southwestern Yemen. Strengthening their hold along the western coast grants the Iran-aligned group increased tactical leverage over key maritime access points near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, further complicating international security efforts in the Red Sea.
Strategic Importance of Hays: Located in the Hodeidah Governorate, Hays sits at a critical intersection connecting the Red Sea coast to the interior highlands. Control over this node dictates logistics for both coastal traffic and humanitarian or military shipments into Taiz.
The Presidential Leadership Council (PLC): Formed in 2022 to unify anti-Houthi factions under a single governing executive, the PLC relies heavily on military and financial backing from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. However, internal rivalries between regular army units and regional militias have long undermined its cohesive command structure.
Ansarallah (Houthi Movement): Controlling Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, and large swathes of the northern highlands since 2014, Ansarallah has continuously sought to extend its reach down the Red Sea coastline. Despite years of coalition airstrikes and economic sanctions, the group maintains robust ballistic missile, drone, and ground assault capabilities.
For visual context on the region’s geography and history, watch Yemeni Army Announces Liberation of Hays District from Houthi Militia and Engages in Battles West, which covers earlier military operations surrounding the contested Hays district.
