Yemeni forces report repelling Houthi attacks in Taiz amid ongoing conflict

Yemen’s government-aligned forces report that they have repelled Houthi attacks along several fronts in the southwestern governorate of Taiz as heavy fighting continues. Colonel Majid al-Nuzaili, spokesman for the Saudi Arabia-backed government forces, stated on Thursday that the Iran-aligned Houthis launched coordinated attacks on Wednesday night, aiming to reach positions on a key road connecting the Aden, Lahj, and Taiz governorates. Government forces reportedly killed and wounded dozens of Houthi fighters during these clashes. There was no immediate comment from the Houthis regarding the government’s claims. The renewed hostilities occur amid escalating regional tensions linked to the ongoing conflict involving the United States and Israel against Iran. The Houthis, who have controlled Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, since 2014, are engaged in battles for control of strategic highlands in southwestern Yemen, including the Kahboub Mountains. They recently took control of the port city of Mocha and the Red Sea coast. Control of the Kahboub Mountains, which overlook the Bab al-Mandeb strait and Mayyun Island, would enable the Houthis to cut off the coast from the government-held southern regions. On Tuesday, government forces claimed to have thwarted Houthi attacks in the mountains and gained full control of Mount Qarfan, which overlooks valleys connecting southern Taiz with the western coast. The Houthis reported on Wednesday that Saudi forces conducted 52 air strikes and missile attacks across several governorates, resulting in deaths and injuries, including among women and children. They claimed that Saudi forces had carried out 988 attacks since the latest escalation began, though they did not provide a death toll. Saudi Arabia did not respond to these claims. In recent weeks, the Houthis have launched numerous missile and drone strikes at Saudi Arabia, including an attack on Riyadh on Saturday. On Wednesday, Saudi Civil Defence authorities issued alerts for potential attacks in Jazan and Najran, provinces bordering Yemen, without providing further details. Ahmed el Shalfi, Al Jazeera’s Yemen affairs editor, indicated that the fighting is expected to continue, stating that both the Houthis and government forces are determined to maintain or regain control of key areas. Aid groups have reported a rising humanitarian toll in Yemen, with the World Health Organization stating that 674 people have been killed and nearly 3,000 injured since August 6, including 164 deaths and 516 injuries from September 13 to 18. More than 158,000 individuals have been displaced, according to Yemen’s Executive Unit for the Management of Displaced Persons Camps.