The Houthi militia has seized key terrain near Taiz, reportedly killing a Saudi major general while cutting off a nearby Saudi military unit. Reports indicate the militants are employing a "cauldron" encirclement tactic, severing the primary supply road to isolate the unit and force a surrender. This development escalates the conflict as Houthi forces move to eliminate remaining government-aligned pockets in the province.

The advance follows the seizure of 200 square kilometers of territory in under 24 hours and the closure of the strategic Taiz-Aden road at the Safiya junction, effectively besieging Taiz, one of Yemen's largest cities. In response, the Presidential Leadership Council confirmed the death of Major General Mohammed Al-Khawlani and reported that the air force conducted 20 strikes on Houthi tanks and reinforcements to stem the movement of Soviet T-62 main battle tanks into the area.