A joint analysis released on November 13 by the Institute for War Studies (ISW) and the Critical Threats project of the American Enterprise Institute stated that the Houthi rebels launched a multi-service offensive in southeastern Lahj province, Yemen, on November 11. They launched ballistic missile attacks on government forces' assembly areas in Ras Ala and Haraz, and struck a government command center in Aden responsible for the Lahj front. They then deployed mechanized units and infantry to advance southwest. On November 12, the Houthis further captured the town of Al Shatt and the Al Sarih crossroads. ISW judged that their main objective was to seize the high ground of Mount Haraz south of Sarih, using firepower to control the coastal highway connecting Muha and Aden, cutting off the government forces' supply and reinforcement routes along the Red Sea coast. If successful, the Houthis would have the opportunity to isolate the Southern Giants Brigade and the Territorial Shield forces deployed along the Red Sea coast, while simultaneously weakening the government forces' ability to defend Aden.
