ALBAWABA- Fighting between Houthi forces and Yemen’s internationally recognized government troops has flared up again, as the Iran-backed militia continues its push to seize the oil-rich Ma’rib governorate.
Control of Ma’rib is crucial for the Houthis to consolidate their dominance over northern Yemen, despite a fragile truce between them and the Saudi- and UAE-backed government forces.
Now in its tenth year, the war—sparked by the Houthi takeover of Sana’a and the subsequent Saudi-led intervention on March 26, 2015—has devastated Yemen, leaving it divided between rival factions vying for power.
Ma’rib remains a key stronghold of resistance, hosting leading anti-Houthi groups determined to fend off the militia’s advances.
According to military sources, two Yemeni government soldiers were killed and seven others wounded in the latest clashes as they repelled Houthi attacks on multiple fronts in Ma’rib.
The army-affiliated September Net reported that Houthi forces used artillery and suicide drones to target government positions on the northern front and in the Al-Irf sector to the south, causing casualties.
In the Mas belt area to the north, intense fighting erupted as the Houthis attempted to advance, but government troops successfully repelled the assault and destroyed militia equipment, sources said.
In retaliation, army artillery struck Houthi positions, destroying weapon stockpiles and inflicting additional losses on the militia.
