On the ground, fighting raged across Taiz governorate, Yemen’s third-largest province, where the front has descended into a grinding contest.
The Houthis were pushing into the rural districts of al-Shamayatayn, al-Maafer and the southern and western countryside in an effort to open a supply route, as their own lines towards al-Kadaha and al-Waziiya, which connect Aden, Lahij and Taiz, came close to being severed by advancing government forces.
Those government forces, backed by the Saudi-led coalition, were pressing towards al-Waziiya and the Kahboub Mountains, overlooking the Bab el-Mandeb strait, on Thursday evening.
Commanders warned of a dangerous escalation in the next 48 hours after the defence minister vowed that Houthi-held areas would soon be retaken.
On the western front, the Houthis were trying to advance towards Dhubab, which overlooks the main Aden-Taiz road used by civilians, traders and aid convoys.