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Deadly clashes in northern Yemen as Houthis ramp up attacks

Earlier this month, the Houthi rebels resumed an offensive to seize Marib city in an effort to gain leverage before entering into any negotiations with Yemen's internationally recognised government.

AFP

A Russian-built BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle belonging to forces loyal to Yemen's Saudi-backed government during clashes with Houthi fighters in al Jadaan area, northwest of Marib, Yemen, February 11, 2021.

Dozens have been killed in overnight clashes in Yemen as Iran-backed Houthi rebels intensified attacks to seize the government's last northern stronghold, according to officials.

Earlier this month, the Houthis resumed an offensive to seize oil-rich Marib, some 120 kilometres (75 miles) east of the capital Sanaa.

The city's loss would be disastrous for Yemen's beleaguered leadership.

Two government military officials said at least 16 pro-government forces were killed and 21 wounded in the past 24 hours, adding that "dozens were killed" among Houthi ranks.

The Houthis have cut off supply lines to a district about 50 kilometres south of the city, with "the goal to lay siege to Marib", one of the sources said.

Ramped up attacks

Yemen has been embroiled in a bloody power struggle since 2014 between its government, supported by Saudi Arabia, and Houthi rebels, who control the capital Sanaa and most of the north.

The rebels have also escalated attacks against Saudi Arabia, drawing condemnation from the international community.

The kingdom said it had foiled a Houthi drone attack on the southern airport of Abha on Saturday, just days after a rebel drone strike on the airport left a civilian aircraft ablaze.

The upsurge in violence comes shortly after the United States decided to remove the rebels from its list of terrorist groups, in order to ensure humanitarian work in Yemen is unimpeded, and to pave the way to restart peace talks.

Spoke with @FaisalbinFarhan. Saudi Arabia is an important security partner. We won’t stand by while the Houthis attack Saudi Arabia. We remain committed to bolstering Saudi Arabia’s defenses and finding a political settlement to the conflict in Yemen.
— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) February 11, 2021

Key city

Observers say the Houthis are seeking to take control of Marib as leverage before entering into any negotiations with the internationally recognised government.

If the city falls into rebel hands, the Houthis will have full control of north Yemen, weakening the government's negotiating position, according to observers.

Saudi Arabia has invested heavily in Marib in recent years, and the Saudi-led coalition has intensified air strikes to stop the rebels from seizing the city.

Yemen's grinding conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions, according to international organisations, sparking what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

Houthi spokesman Mohamed Abdelsalam tweeted on Saturday that the rebels were fighting "only those militarily involved with the foreign enemy" amid government calls for residents to defend the city.

"May the honourable people of Marib be reassured... and acknowledge that the aggressor coalition is fighting them, not for them," he said.

Preventing famine in #Yemen is the most urgent priority.

Conflict, economic blockade & a crumbling health system are pushing vulnerable communities to the brink amid a critical shortage of humanitarian funding.

More in our latest humanitarian update: https://t.co/fFGBpDf7qB pic.twitter.com/QwjzrW4bCX
— OCHA Yemen (@OCHAYemen) February 14, 2021