On October 5, groups linked to the former Southern Transitional Council (STC), including the powerful Southern Giants Brigades, and troops of the internationally recognised government launched a major offensive near the strategically important Bab al-Mandeb strait. The campaign is part of a nationwide push to drive the Houthis, an armed group also known as Ansar Allah, out of territory they control, including coastal areas seized in September.
By Monday afternoon, the pro-government force, led by the Giants Brigade, said they had cut off the main road linking Mocha with Bab al-Mandeb, a vital waterway for energy supplies. The advance followed a declaration by Rashid al-Alimi, chairman of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, of a major offensive against the Iran-backed group.
The offensive highlights the effectiveness of anti-Houthi forces when working together. STC-affiliated groups, some of which seek independence for the south, have allied with pro-government national forces. This collaboration follows a high-profile conflict in southern Yemen in January, when Saudi-aligned government forces defeated the UAE-backed STC, leading to the relative centralisation of anti-Houthi forces.
Among the leading formations is the Giants Brigades, which have roots in the southern separatist movement. The force is commanded by Abd al-Rahman Abu Zaraa al-Muharrami, a Salafi who studied at the Dammaj religious school in Saada. Formed largely by Salafi fighters during the battle against the Houthis in Aden in the first half of 2015, the Giants Brigades have become one of Yemen's most formidable military forces.