Yemen’s internationally recognized government said its air force has launched strikes on Iran-backed Houthi positions inside a declared “kill zone” in western Taiz, as fighting intensifies near the Red Sea port of Mokha.

Axar.az reports, citing Arab News, that Yemeni forces targeted Houthi military equipment in the Dhubab area. Military spokesman Col. Majed Al-Nuzaily warned civilians to stay off the Taiz-Mokha and Mokha-Dhubab roads until further notice.

The military had declared the area around Mokha, Jabal Al-Nar and parts of the Taiz-Mokha road a “kill zone” and urged civilians to stay away from Houthi positions, weapons and military movements.

The latest escalation follows weeks of Houthi attacks on government-held areas and infrastructure. Yemen’s National Defense Council said government forces were also intensifying operations against the Houthis in Taiz, Marib, Al-Jawf, Al-Bayda and Al-Dhale.

The escalation has also affected Saudi Arabia, where the Houthis recently targeted areas including Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jazan and Najran, causing fires at several oil facilities.

It should be noted that earlier reports said Saudi forces had carried out airstrikes on an airport in Mokha.