Houthis report 106 Saudi strikes amid new govt military campaign in Yemen

Yemen's Houthi group announced that Saudi Arabia has conducted 106 air and missile strikes on Houthi-controlled territories over the last 24 hours, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict. This revelation comes as the internationally recognized Yemeni government declared the initiation of a military operation aimed at reclaiming areas occupied by the Houthis, exacerbating tensions that have surged in recent days.

Yahya Sarea, the Houthi military spokesperson, shared on social media platform X that the strikes targeted the capital Sanaa as well as the provinces of Al-Jawf and Taiz. According to Sarea, the latest wave of attacks has increased the total to 1,516 strikes since the latest escalation began. These figures, however, remain unverified by independent sources, and Saudi Arabia has not acknowledged the strikes reported by the Houthis.

The announcement of the attacks coincided with Yemen's government unveiling what it has termed the "battle of liberation," indicating a new phase in its campaign to regain control over Houthi-held territories. This development is part of a broader increase in violence that has been witnessed recently in Yemen, particularly in the southwestern regions of the country.

The conflict in Yemen began in late 2014 following the Houthi seizure of Sanaa and significant portions of northern Yemen, which prompted a Saudi-led coalition to intervene in March 2015 to support the Yemeni government. Since then, the war has evolved into one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises, with thousands of casualties.

Amid this renewed conflict, the Houthis recently achieved territorial gains in Taiz province, advancing into new areas even as the Yemeni government announced a large-scale military offensive to reclaim territory. Reports from local security officials indicate that Houthi fighters have captured At Turbah, a strategically important government-held center, after government forces withdrew without engaging in combat.

A security official, who requested anonymity, revealed that government troops and allied forces had retreated to mountainous positions outside of At Turbah, with some moving further south into Lahj province due to battlefield losses and setbacks. Following the withdrawal, Houthi fighters moved into the city, establishing control over key positions, including main entry and exit points of At Turbah.

Local residents reported seeing Houthi forces on the streets and around public facilities. In anticipation of the group’s arrival, many shopkeepers closed their businesses. Additionally, it was mentioned that Houthis devoted loudspeakers in mosques to communicate with locals, urging them not to resist their entry into the area.

As the conflict continues to escalate with heavy fighting and increasing airstrikes, the situation in Yemen remains fluid, with the potential for further developments in both military actions and humanitarian conditions for civilians caught in the crossfire.

Source

Original IANS report

Edited with AI assistance.

Featured image: AI-generated representative image.