Ansarullah Forces Advance in Taizz as PLC Holds Key Mountain Stronghold

TAIZZ, Yemen — Ansarullah fighters captured several villages southwest of the city of Taizz on Sunday and pushed toward the strategic towns of Al Misrakh and As Safiyah, while failing to secure a foothold in the contested Jabal Jirad mountain range against resistance from Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) forces. The fighting marks a renewed intensification of hostilities in one of Yemen's most volatile frontlines, as both sides vie for control over critical supply routes and high ground surrounding the provincial capital.

Ansarullah troops moved quickly through the rural districts southwest of Taizz, seizing multiple settlements before turning their attention toward Al Misrakh and As Safiyah. These locations are vital for controlling access to the city from the south and west. However, the advance stalled in the rugged terrain of Jabal Jirad. PLC forces, entrenched on the mountain slopes, successfully repelled Ansarullah attempts to consolidate positions there, maintaining their hold on the elevated defensive lines that overlook key approaches to the city.

The clash in Jabal Jirad represents a significant setback for Ansarullah's immediate objectives in the sector. The mountain has long served as a strategic asset for PLC forces, providing observation points and artillery advantages over the surrounding plains. Despite the failure to take the high ground, Ansarullah's gains in the villages to the southwest suggest a continued effort to encircle Taizz and isolate PLC-held areas from the south.

Local residents reported heavy shelling and small arms fire throughout the day as the two factions engaged in intense combat. The movement of troops toward Al Misrakh and As Safiyah has raised concerns among civilians living in the path of the advancing forces, with many families already displaced by weeks of prior fighting in the region.

The motivations behind this specific surge in military activity remain unclear. Neither Ansarullah nor the PLC has issued detailed statements explaining the timing or strategic goals of the offensive. The conflict in Taizz has persisted for years, characterized by shifting frontlines and periodic escalations that have devastated infrastructure and displaced hundreds of thousands of residents.

As of late Sunday, the situation on the ground remained fluid. Ansarullah forces continued to press their advance toward Al Misrakh, while PLC commanders reinforced their positions in Jabal Jirad to prevent further incursions. The outcome of the battle for the mountain stronghold could determine the balance of power in the southern approaches to Taizz in the coming days.

Questions remain regarding the potential for a broader escalation as both sides assess their gains and losses. The international community has repeatedly called for a cessation of hostilities, but the fighting on the ground shows no immediate signs of abating. With control of these villages and mountain passes at stake, the next 24 to 48 hours are expected to be critical in defining the new frontline dynamics in southern Yemen.