The Houthis Made New Gains in Yemen. They are Reportedly Closing in on the Government’s Capital.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels made key gains during the weekend and are now within 50 miles of Aden, the temporary capital of the internationally-recognized government, according to a new report.

Reuters detailed that the development means the Houthis are now closer to Aden than they were since 2015, when they briefly entered the city before being driven out. It threatens positions linking the capital with the city of Taiz, a key corridor for the southwest region of the country.

The outlet went on to say that fighting continued on Monday after the Houthis took the Al-Maqatirah district days ago.

Saudi Arabia has been helping the government fight the Houthis, but so far they have not made clear gains. Different countries are taking steps toward sending military aid to Riyadh to defend its country. Egypt became the latest one to do so when the country’s parliament last Monday authorized the military to send aid to Riyadh. Cairo’s involvement would be limited to defending the country’s territory, according to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

The decision came just days after Turkey said it would seek parliamentary approval to send military personnel to the country as part of its newly-signed defense pact with Riyadh and Islamabad.

The country submitted the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement to parliament last week. Ankara also signed an agreement with Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia to boost defense cooperation and defensive capabilities. It is called the “Badr Memorandum of Understanding.”

Turkey’s initiative comes shortly after the UK increased the amount of military support sent to Riyadh. London noted that it will send fighter jets to perform defensive operations, also providing refueling support on actions that include strikes against Houthi targets.

Pakistan, in turn, has sent about 8,000 troops and air force fighter jets to conduct strikes, according to another report. Troops, however, are unlikely to engage in any fighting and will be tasked with defending Saudi oil infrastructure.

Saudi Arabia is also taking steps of its own. Reuters reported last week that Riyhad appears to be expanding a ballistic missile factory in a move that could allow the kingdom to produce weapons capable of traveling farther or carrying heavier payloads.