Houthi Forces Advance Slowly in South-West Yemen
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Houthi forces appeared to be making slow advances on Wednesday in south-west Yemen, moving closer to the city of Taiz.
The group's fighters also fired a missile and an explosive toward the airport in Aden.
Aden's airport is the chief international hub for the Saudi-backed government in Yemen.
The attack happened just moments before a plane from Cairo was due to land there.
It is not yet clear what damage the explosive caused at the airport.
The incident highlights the continued danger faced by air travel in and out of Aden.
Taiz has long been a key battleground in Yemen's ongoing conflict between Houthi forces and government-aligned troops.
The Houthis control large parts of northern Yemen, while the internationally recognised government, backed by Saudi Arabia, holds territory in the south.
Aden serves as the government's temporary capital and main gateway to the rest of the world.
Any attack on the airport could disrupt travel and supplies for the region.
The slow advance toward Taiz suggests the Houthis may be trying to expand their control in the south-west.
Yemen's war has lasted for years, causing a severe humanitarian crisis for millions of people.
This latest development adds to concerns that fighting could intensify in the coming weeks.
International observers continue to watch the situation closely, given the airport's importance to the country's stability.
Vocabulary10 words
- advances
- movements forward, often by an army
- missile
- a weapon that flies and explodes on hitting its target
- explosive
- a material or device that can blow up
- hub
- a central and important place for travel
- internationally recognised
- officially accepted by other countries
- battleground
- a place where fighting happens
- conflict
- a serious disagreement or fight
- disrupt
- to stop something from working normally
- humanitarian crisis
- a situation causing great suffering to many people
- stability
- a state of being steady and not changing suddenly
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Quiz
Answer key
1. Taiz 2. It is the chief international hub for the Saudi-backed government 3. False
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Houthi forces appeared to be making slow _____ on Wednesday in south-west Yemen, moving closer to the city of Taiz.
The group's fighters also fired a _____ and an explosive toward the airport in Aden.
Aden's airport is the chief international _____ for the Saudi-backed government in Yemen.
The attack happened just moments before a plane from _____ was due to land there.
It is not yet clear what _____ the explosive caused at the airport.
Taiz has long been a key _____ in Yemen's ongoing conflict.
The Houthis control large parts of northern Yemen, while the _____ government holds territory in the south.
Aden serves as the government's temporary capital and main _____ to the rest of the world.
Yemen's war has lasted for years, causing a severe _____ for millions of people.
International observers continue to watch the situation closely, given the airport's importance to the country's _____.
Discussion questions
- Why might the Houthis be targeting Aden's airport specifically?
- How could fighting near Taiz affect civilians living there?
- What role does Saudi Arabia play in supporting Yemen's government?
- Why is international attention important during conflicts like this one?
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