Yemen’s Armed Forces have managed to make major advances against Saudi-backed militants south of the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, officially completing the encirclement of Aden Province.

Reports said on Friday that the Yemeni forces reached the coastal strip connecting Aden to Lahij Province.

Saudi-sponsored mercenaries in the areas of al-Suqiya and Ras al-Ara were given two options, surrender and face capture, or withdraw without their weapons, the reports added.

The advances come as Saudi fighter jets have carried out dozens of airstrikes to prevent the Yemeni forces from cementing their gains.

On Thursday, fierce clashes erupted along several fronts near Kharaz Camp, which is considered one of the main military support bases for Saudi-backed militants and houses a large number of warehouses containing various types of weapons.

Mohammad al-Farah, a member of the Ansarullah political bureau, announced that the Yemeni forces continue to advance in Lahij while Saudi-sponsored elements are experiencing confusion and disarray in their ranks.

Major General Ahmed al-Turki, a commander of Saudi-backed militants left the frontline without coordination, according to recent reports. Mahmoud al-Subaihi, a member of the so-called presidential leadership council, departed Aden for Riyadh.

Saudi Arabia waged a devastating war on Yemen in March 2015, but it failed to reinstall a Riyadh-friendly regime there. In 2022, the kingdom agreed to a ceasefire with Ansarullah, but maintained its land, sea, and air blockade of the country.

A few months ago, Yemen launched operations in response to illegal Saudi airstrikes and announced a maritime blockade in retaliation for the 12-year inhumane siege of the country by the kingdom.

Since then, Yemen’s Armed Forces have pushed back Saudi-backed militants and taken control of several areas, strengthening control over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a strategic maritime passage between the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.