Two officials from pro-government forces say that the rebels were mounting a concerted push that had left 26 loyalist soldiers dead as well as 44 from Houthi ranks.
A recent Save the Children report says over 2,300 children were killed from 2018 to 2020 in the war between Iran-backed rebels and Saudi-led coalition supporting the government in Yemen.
The initiative would include a UN-supervised nationwide ceasefire and reopening of air and sea links blockaded by the Saudi-led coalition, main pre-conditions of the Iran-backed rebels before any peace deal.
Protesters say they are angry over a lack of services and delayed salaries, urging the UN to pressure the government into implementing economic reforms.
The raids in Yemen's rebel-held capital come after the coalition said it intercepted 10 drones launched by the rebels on Sunday, in a sharp escalation in cross-border attacks on the kingdom.
The fighting in Marib has left 32 dead among government forces and loyalist tribes, while 58 Houthi rebels have been killed in coalition air strikes, government military sources say.
UN humanitarian agency says the risk of large-scale famine in the Arab world’s poorest country “has never been more acute."
Pro-government forces repelled the Houthi advances and reported heavy fighting that lasted "more than eight hours" in the Ablah region south of Marib city, a military source said.
The Iran-backed Houthi assault on Marib not only threatens the UN-backed government’s last line of defense but also risks a dire humanitarian crisis.
The Iran-backed militants earlier this month renewed their attacks on the oil-rich Marib province, a government stronghold that has served as a sort of haven for around one million Yemenis who have fled Houthi offensives since the start of the war.
UN humanitarian chief “very alarmed” by Houthi rebel advance on Yemen government’s last northern stronghold, says an assault on Marib could endanger millions of civilians.
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.
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