Marib is home to Yemen’s oil and gas sector, and control over it could lead to significant economic gains. The location of Taiz is also strategically critical. Yemen’s government forces have conducted air attacks against the Iran-backed Houthis to counter their advances, as the rebel group has been gaining ground in government-held positions over the past week. The fighting is now focusing on Marib, which is the government’s last stronghold in the north and a major oil and gas hub. Analysts suggest that if the Houthis gain control of Marib, it could significantly shift the dynamics of the war in their favor.
Battles are also occurring in western Taiz, where government forces, supported by Saudi Arabia, are reportedly on the counteroffensive after losing some ground last week. A video released by the Yemeni army claims to show Houthi positions and vehicles being bombed. Civilians are caught in the conflict, with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reporting that over 85,000 people have been displaced since early September, with more than 2,000 fleeing to Djibouti.
Marib is crucial for anti-Houthi forces in northern Yemen, and a Houthi expansion there would threaten the government's presence and weaken its leverage. The region hosts Yemen’s largest gas and oil fields, making control over it vital for energy infrastructure and revenue. Saddam al-Huraibi, a Yemeni political commentator, noted that dominating Marib’s resources has been a Houthi goal for over a decade. Analysts believe that capturing Marib could provide the Houthis with leverage in future negotiations.
Adam Baron, a fellow at the New America think tank, described a potential Houthi capture of Marib as a watershed moment for Yemen’s internal dynamics, while emphasizing that government forces view the battle as existential. Losing Marib would represent a significant defeat for Yemen’s internationally recognized government.
Geographically, Marib is significant as it connects northern Yemen to Shabwa Governorate in the south, which has access to the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea. A victory in Marib would serve as a powerful propaganda tool for the Houthis, potentially convincing many Yemenis of their military momentum.
Taiz’s strategic importance lies in its geography, serving as a bridge between Houthi-held northern Yemen and government-held southern areas, impacting the movement of weapons and supplies. Taiz has also been a center of resistance against the Houthis since they seized Sanaa in 2014, and a major breakthrough there would have symbolic significance.
The western coast of Taiz extends towards Mocha and the Bab al-Mandeb strait, a critical shipping route connecting the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. Fuad Mussed, a Yemeni analyst, noted that the Houthis aim to threaten maritime traffic in this vital waterway, a strategy that aligns with Iran's broader regional goals. This situation raises concerns for Saudi Arabia, which relies on the Red Sea route for oil exports.