Houthis Clashes with Yemeni Forces Escalate Amid Renewed Fears of Civil War

Fighting between Iran-backed Houthi rebels and Yemeni government forces has escalated in recent days, raising concerns about a renewed civil war in Yemen and potentially destabilizing the Middle East.

At least one government soldier was killed and another critically wounded in clashes with the Houthis in the mountainous province of Taiz, according to Yemeni military officials. The fighting is part of a spate of recent Houthi attacks on government-held areas across the country, resulting in dozens of government troops being killed since last week.

The Houthis also launched another drone attack on an Aramco oil refinery in Saudi Arabia, although Saudi officials have not commented on the reported attack. The Houthi rebels announced a blockade of Saudi shipping last month, threatening another key trade route in the region.