Sana’a: At least 25 people were killed and several others injured as intense fighting erupted between Yemen’s government forces and Houthi fighters in the southwestern province of Taiz, according to a government military official.
The fighting was concentrated around Maqbanah and Al-Kadha, where a major assault reportedly began at dawn. The clashes involved artillery, mortars and other heavy weapons, with government forces and Houthi fighters exchanging fire for several hours.
The military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said 15 government soldiers and 10 Houthi fighters were among those killed. The Houthis had not issued an immediate response to the reported casualties or the government’s account of the fighting.
Houthi assault triggers counteroffensive
According to the government account, Houthi fighters launched a large-scale attack on positions controlled by government forces in villages around Maqbanah and Al-Kadha early Thursday.
The fighters reportedly captured several positions during the initial assault. Government forces subsequently sent reinforcements to the area and launched a counteroffensive, managing to retake some of the positions.
The situation remained tense, with heavy weapons continuing to be used in the area. Independent information about the extent of the territorial changes was not immediately available.
Civilians flee amid heavy shelling
The escalation also forced civilians living close to the front lines to leave their homes, according to residents.
Families reportedly moved towards safer areas as artillery fire intensified. The latest displacement adds to the humanitarian burden facing communities in Taiz, which has remained one of the key flashpoints of Yemen’s prolonged conflict.
Residents said the continuing shelling had heightened fears among families living near the fighting. Details about the number of people displaced in the latest violence were not immediately available.
Missile and drone attacks reported along western coast
The ground fighting in Taiz came amid reports of missile and drone activity in western Yemen.
Government forces claimed that the Houthis had launched 14 ballistic missiles and carried out drone attacks against locations along the western coast of Taiz and neighbouring Hodeidah province over several hours.
Government authorities said air defence systems intercepted several of the drones. The Houthi movement had not publicly responded to the claims, while independent verification of the reported missile and drone launches was not immediately possible.
The developments come amid heightened security concerns around strategic maritime routes in the Red Sea.
Boats carrying explosives allegedly intercepted
Yemeni government forces said earlier this week that they had intercepted four boats allegedly carrying explosives and linked to the Houthi movement.
According to Yemen’s state-run Saba news agency, citing a military source, the vessels were reportedly attempting to move towards the Hanish Islands and Zuqar Island in the Red Sea.
Government naval forces allegedly stopped the boats before they reached the islands. The military source also claimed that additional movements involving Houthi boats had been detected at different times on Sunday and Monday.
The islands hold strategic importance because of their proximity to major international shipping lanes in the southern Red Sea.
Conflict remains unresolved
The latest fighting underlines the fragile security situation in Yemen, where government forces and the Houthis continue to confront each other across several fronts.
Government troops have stepped up artillery and drone operations against Houthi positions, while the Houthis have continued to rely on missile and drone attacks against government-held areas, including parts of Marib and the western Red Sea coast.
The renewed violence in Taiz, combined with reported activity along the Red Sea, risks further worsening an already severe humanitarian situation and could add to security concerns surrounding one of the world’s most important maritime trade corridors.
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