Yemeni Army: We have taken control of the strategic Al-Maidan hill in Taiz

Al-Maidan hill holds strategic importance as it overlooks the western entrance to the city of Taiz, the center of the governorate of the same name, according to an Anadolu Agency correspondent.

In a related context, the center stated that "the armed forces' warplanes targeted, with three airstrikes, positions and gatherings of the terrorist Houthi militia on the Al-Aqrod front in Al-Masrakh district, south of Taiz Governorate."

It added that the aircraft targeted, with two airstrikes, "positions controlled by the Houthis in Same district, south of the governorate."

Taiz, the most populous Yemeni governorate, is witnessing a division in control, as government forces still control the governorate's center, Taiz city, and other areas.

Conversely, the Houthis have made progress over the past weeks in rural and coastal areas, including several regions, most notably Al-Makha, Al-Shamayatayn, Al-Ma'afir, Jabal Habashi, and Al-Wazi'iyah, according to available field data.

Unofficial field estimates indicate that the scope of Houthi control has expanded to include more than 70 percent of the governorate's area, compared to a decline in the scope of government forces' control in the countryside and coast, with the continued existence of disputed areas.

These percentages do not represent an official census or a final map of control, in light of the ongoing battles and shifting contact lines.

On Sunday, several fronts in Yemen witnessed a military escalation between government forces and the Houthi group, concentrated in the governorates of Taiz and Lahj, in the southwest of the country.

Since last July, military escalation between government forces and the Houthis in Yemen has renewed, especially in Taiz and Lahj, resulting in thousands of deaths and injuries, according to UN reports.

Yemen has been witnessing a war since the Houthis took control of the capital, Sanaa, and several governorates in September 2014, before an Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia intervened in March 2015 to support the internationally recognized Yemeni government.