Yemen's Anti-Houthi Forces Launch Inquest After Sudden Collapse of West Coast Defenses
Anti-Houthi forces in Yemen are investigating a rapid military collapse that resulted in the loss of over 15 brigades and control of the entire west coast to Houthi fighters. While officials cite tactical necessity due to heavy casualties, critics allege betrayal and bribery, with up to 30,000 well-equipped troops retreating from positions defended by fewer than 20 Houthi combatants.
Yemen’s anti-Houthi forces have initiated an urgent inquest into a sudden military collapse that saw the fall of the country’s entire west coast into Houthi hands. The defeat involved more than 15 brigades and has sparked intense debate regarding the causes of the retreat, with accusations ranging from strategic failure to alleged bribery.
The crisis culminated on September 10, when defenders withdrew from the port city of Mocha. Political activist Abdu Mukabib described this withdrawal as a "great betrayal," noting that when Houthi forces entered Mocha at 6 am, their numbers were surprisingly small—fewer than 20 people across two vehicles and four motorcycles. Despite this, an estimated 30,000 well-equipped fighters retreated during the broader military collapse.
Tensions surrounding the event have led to conflicting narratives. Tareq Saleh’s National Resistance Forces stated that the withdrawal was a necessary tactical move made after the death of 500 soldiers to prevent encirclement. Hours before the retreat, Houthis had captured the National Resistance Forces headquarters at Jabal al-Nar (Fire Mountain), which contained six military brigades and Saudi-provided weaponry.
However, critics dispute the official account. Some Yemeni politicians claim that billions of dollars were offered to persuade west coast defenders to abandon their positions, though the source of these payments remains unidentified. The governor of Hadramaut made claims regarding such payments but did not specify who provided them. Others have linked the issue to past connections between the United Arab Emirates and the National Resistance Forces. The UAE left Yemen in January and remains bitter over Saudi Arabia's role in forcing its exit and outlawing the Southern Transitional Council.
Analysts point to additional factors contributing to the defeat, including poor command and control communications, high-level Houthi intelligence capabilities, and internal divisions within anti-Houthi forces involving Saudi commanders. Houthi forces have become increasingly sophisticated, bolstered by Iranian intelligence and using cheap drones to harass maritime traffic. They have also developed indigenous weapon-making infrastructure and purchase ballistic missiles, reducing their reliance on Iran. Iranian officials insist the Houthis are not simple proxies but possess their own unified command structure and priorities.
In response to the loss, Nobel Peace Prize winner Tawakkol Karman has called for a thorough investigation into the military collapse. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to reorganize UN-recognized government forces to secure strategic points like the Kahbob mountains, aiming to restrict Houthi movement toward the Bab al-Mandab strait. Tareq Saleh announced he is forming the "Tihami Resistance," a group independent of national forces, while other explanations for the defeat continue to be scrutinized by Yemeni and Saudi officials reviewing lessons from the conflict.
