The Houthis’ lightning advance across the southern reaches of the Tihamah – Yemen’s arid coastal plain – appears to have taken most observers by surprise.
Until recently, the anti-Houthi coalition known as the National Resistance held significant territory along Yemen’s Red Sea coast. In a matter of days, much of this has fallen to the Houthis.
According to some estimates, the Iranian-backed rebels have captured as much as 130km (81 miles) of the country’s strategically important coastline.
It’s the group’s most impressive military coup for several years, proving that despite a civil war that has lasted 12 years, devastating Saudi air raids and attacks by American, Israeli and British forces, the Houthis remain a force to be reckoned with.
With their opponents stunned and demoralised, it’s unlikely the Houthis will be dislodged any time soon.
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