More than 18 Houthis have been killed and others wounded or captured as Yemeni government forces repelled an attack and launched a counteroffensive west of Taiz, the army’s media centre said.
The Houthis attacked army positions in the Maqbanah Mountains, attempting to infiltrate areas including Al-Ahtoub, Al-Tuwair, Al-Kadha and Jabal Ghabari, according to the statement on Thursday.
Yemeni forces thwarted the infiltration attempts before launching a counterattack against Houthi positions, backed by concentrated artillery fire targeting their positions and gatherings.
Drones shot down as fighting intensifies
The army said more than 18 Houthis were killed, while others were wounded and several were captured. It added that the bodies of some Houthi members remained in the areas where clashes took place.
Army air defences also shot down three Houthi drones attempting to target military positions, while several Houthi vehicles were destroyed, killing those aboard, according to the statement.
Yemen’s official television broadcast footage showed Houthi prisoners captured during the fighting on Taiz’s western fronts, but did not give a number.
Renewed clashes challenge fragile lull
The escalation followed reports that Houthis had targeted areas in Taiz and Hudaida provinces with 14 ballistic missiles and drone attacks, according to the Yemeni army.
Yemen has experienced a relative lull since April 2022 in a conflict that began nearly 12 years ago, when the Houthis seized Sanaa and other areas in 2014.
Fighting has intensified again in recent weeks in provinces including Marib, Al-Jawf, Al-Dhalea and Taiz.
The renewed violence comes as Yemen continues to face severe humanitarian and economic crises. A Saudi-led coalition backing Yemen’s internationally recognised government supports government forces, while Iran is accused of supporting the Houthis.
The Houthis announced a maritime blockade on Saudi Arabia in July.
