This is part of a series of Yemen maps and infographics created in collaboration between PolGeoNow and CIGeography.
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Click to enlarge. Map by Louis Martin-Vézian, Evan Centanni, and Djordje Djukic. All rights reserved.
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Timeline by Djordje Djukic
Situation Summary
In the past three months since our previous Yemen control map report, fighting has continued between Houthi rebels and forces loyal to the Saudi-backed government of President Hadi, with small changes to territorial control on the eastern and northern fringes of Houthi territory, including along Yemen's border with Saudi Arabia. Meanwhile, Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has remained entrenched in parts of the east, while allegedly capturing an area near its one-time stronghold of Rada in the country's west.
Country Name: • Yemen (English) • Al-Yaman (Arabic) Official Name: • Republic of Yemen (English) • al-Jumhūriyyah al-Yamaniyyah (Arabic) Capital: Sana'a (official); Aden (seat of internationally-recognized government) |
The following is a timeline of major events and changes to territorial control since PolGeoNow's previous Yemen control map report of September 23, 2016.
October 1, 2016
Pro-Hadi forces captured the the village of Al Gayl, which they claimed to be the last Houthi stronghold in Jawf province. Meanwhile, the Houthis claimed they hit a UAE military ship in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, while according to the UAE the vessel that was hit was an aid ship en route to Aden.
October 8, 2016
At least 140 people were killed and more than 500 wounded in several airstrikes on a funeral reception in Sana'a which was attended by military and intelligence officials of the Houthi-led government.
October 9, 2016
The US Navy guided missile destroyer Mason was targeted in a failed missile attack from Houthi-held territory in Yemen.
October 12, 2016
The USS Mason was targeted in a second failed missile attack off the coast of Yemen.
October 13, 2016
In retaliation for the two missile attacks, the USS Mason targeted and destroyed three coastal radar sites in Houthi-held areas, using cruise missiles.
November 2, 2016
Twenty-eight Houthi and six pro-Hadi fighters were reportedly killed in fighting in Taiz.
November 7, 2016
The WHO announced that at least 7,070 people had been killed and 36,818 injured in the conflict in Yemen since the start of the Saudi-led intervention in March 2015.
November 15-16, 2016
Fighting in Maydee and Harad on the border between Yemen and Saudi Arabia, as well as in Taiz, left 46 pro-Houthi and 39 pro-Hadi fighters dead, in addition to five civilians. During the clashes in Taiz, pro-Hadi forces managed to advance towards the Houthi-held presidential residence and police headquarters.
November 17-18, 2016
Twenty-four Houthi and 14 pro-Hadi fighters were reportedly killed in Taiz, as well as two civilians, dashing any hopes of a ceasefire that had been announced by US Secretary of State John Kerry, which was supposed to start on November 17. Instead, a 48-hour ceasefire began on November 19.
November 21-22, 2016
Following the fragile two-day ceasefire, heavy fighting in Taiz and Maydee left a reported 29 Houthi and 12 pro-Hadi fighters dead.
November 24, 2016
More fighting in Taiz killed 10 Houthi fighters.
November 28, 2016
The Houthis and their political allies formed a new government. A Hadi spokesman deemed the move "a disregard not just for the Yemeni people, but also for the international community".
December 2, 2016
The Saudi-led coalition claimed that 172 people were killed and 686 wounded due to indiscriminate shelling in Taiz by pro-Houthi forces during the month of November.
December 4-5, 2016
Pro-Hadi troops captured the Alab border crossing, which is one of two border crossings between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Sa'dah province. The second crossing, Al Baqqa, had already been taken by pro-Hadi troops previously. The fighting spread the following day to the nearby Mandabah mountain. Pro-Hadi forces also claimed that the Houthis had withdrawn from the port town of Maydee. However, fighting was still being reported around the town 15 days later.
December 10, 2016
An IS suicide bomber killed between 48 and 50 soldiers and wounded around 70 at a base in Aden.
December 12-15, 2016
Al-Qaeda captured a mountain in Bayda province and claimed to have also seized an area of the Rada district from pro-Houthi forces.
December 13, 2016
Eighteen Houthi fighters were reportedly killed in fighting in Taiz, while Houthi forces attempted to recapture a hill overlooking the Sirwah airport in Marib province, which they had recently lost.
December 18, 2016
An IS suicide bomber killed between 49 and 52 soldiers and wounded between 34 and 60 in Aden while they were collecting their salaries.
December 18-19, 2016
Houthi fighters managed to temporarily capture a hilly air-defense base on the western edge of Taiz, before they were forced to retreat the following morning. Pro-Hadi forces claimed 41 Houthi fighters were killed, while they lost nine. Meanwhile, pro-Hadi forces reportedly captured Mandabah mountain on the Yemeni-Saudi border.
December 22, 2016
Seven Pakistani crew members of an Iranian cargo ship were killed when their ship was sunk in a rocket attack off the coast of Yemen.
December 23, 2016
Saudi artillery and helicopter strikes on the Saudi-Yemeni border reportedly killed at least 30 pro-Houthi fighters, while the US military reported 28 Al Qaeda militants were killed in nine strikes between September 23 and December 13 in Yemen.
December 24, 2016
Pro-Hadi forces captured several areas in the Nihm district northeast of Sana'a.
December 27, 2016
Twenty-eight Houthi and 12 pro-Hadi fighters were reportedly killed in fighting in the southern province of Shabwa when pro-Hadi forces launched an offensive against Baihan. Fighting also took place at nearby Usaylan. Pro-Hadi forces claimed to have made advances during the offensive.
December 29, 2016
Pro-Hadi troops reportedly captured three regions of the Usaylan district in Shabwa province and were trying to push towards Baihan. At least 10 Houthi fighters were killed in the fighting.
CHECK FOR UPDATES: View all Yemen maps on PolGeoNow
Graphic of Yemeni flag is in the public domain (source).