Yemen Conflict Escalates: Government Forces and Houthis Claim Heavy Losses in Fierce Clashes

Fighting has intensified in Yemen, with forces aligned with the country’s internationally recognized government reporting significant casualties among Houthi fighters. According to Majed Abdullah al-Nuzaili, a spokesman for Yemen’s government forces, at least 190 Houthi fighters were killed or wounded in a series of air and artillery attacks. These strikes reportedly targeted Houthi positions across Lahij, Taiz, Marib, al-Jawf, Hajjah, and al-Bayda governorates. Al-Nuzaili stated that government forces conducted at least 29 air strikes, 39 drone attacks, fired 62 rockets, and executed 744 artillery attacks. He also claimed that up to 130 vehicles and combat assets belonging to the Iran-allied group were damaged or destroyed. Al Jazeera has not independently verified these battlefield claims.

The ongoing hostilities in Yemen occur amidst heightened regional tensions, influenced by the US-Israel war on Iran. Yemen’s internationally recognized government, supported by Saudi Arabia, has initiated a counteroffensive named Operation Dawn of Yemen, aiming to reclaim territory lost to the Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah, in September. The Saudi-led coalition has provided air support for the government's ground operations, while the Houthis have launched missile attacks into the kingdom, targeting airports and oil facilities.

The World Health Organization has reported that at least 1,771 people have been killed and 7,959 wounded in the conflict in Yemen since August. Additionally, over 300,000 people have been displaced.

Conversely, the Houthis also claimed to have inflicted casualties on government-aligned fighters in attacks in the al-Madaribah and Ras al-Ara areas of Lahij governorate. Yahya Saree, the Houthi spokesman, asserted that dozens more government soldiers were killed and wounded in separate attacks in al-Jawf. Saree further accused Yemen’s Saudi-backed forces of conducting 109 air strikes and missile attacks on the rebel-controlled capital, Sanaa, and on Houthi positions in al-Jawf, Saada, Taiz, Lahij, and Marib, alleging that these attacks resulted in civilian casualties, including women and children. The Saudi-led coalition has not immediately confirmed these reported strikes.

Earlier in the day, the Saudi-led coalition announced the interception of two missiles fired by the Houthis towards Riyadh, the kingdom's capital, and another missile targeting its southern region. The Houthis stated their targets included the Saudi capital, Riyadh, and an Aramco oil facility in Abqaiq.