Yemeni pro-government forces backed by Saudi Arabia say they have secured the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait and launched a major offensive against the Iran-backed Houthi movement.

Government forces reportedly captured an airport near the Red Sea town of Dhubab and cut a key road to Mokha, although the Houthis deny making significant advances.

The offensive has also opened fronts near Sanaa and elsewhere as government forces seek to reclaim territory held by the Houthis.

A Saudi-led coalition said its air force had destroyed more than 300 high-value targets in support of the campaign, the BBC has reported.

Yemen’s internationally recognised leadership says the offensive aims to retake all Houthi-held territory after efforts to de-escalate the conflict were deemed exhausted.