Yemen Conflict Escalates as Houthi Rebels Clash with Government Forces

Clashes between Iran-backed Houthi rebels and government forces in Yemen have escalated, raising concerns that the country's civil war could reignite. The fighting has resulted in at least one government soldier killed and another critically wounded in the mountainous province of Taiz.

The Houthis have launched multiple attacks on government-held areas across the country, with dozens of government troops killed since last week, according to the Yemeni military. They also claimed responsibility for a drone attack on an Aramco oil refinery in Saudi Arabia, although Saudi officials have not commented on the reported attack.

UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher warned that Yemen faces 'catastrophe' from rising hunger and crumbling health services amid the fighting. He noted that six million people in Yemen face emergency levels of food insecurity bordering on famine, the highest number globally.