Intense fighting continues in Yemen as government forces and Houthi rebels exchange heavy attacks, each claiming significant casualties. Majed Abdullah al-Nuzaili, a spokesman for Yemen’s government forces, reported that at least 190 Houthi fighters were killed or wounded in hundreds of air and artillery strikes targeting multiple governorates. The attacks included 29 air strikes, 39 drone attacks, 62 rockets, and 744 artillery strikes, according to al-Nuzaili. He also claimed that up to 130 vehicles and combat assets used by the Houthis were damaged or destroyed.
The Houthis, however, accused the Saudi-backed government forces of launching 109 air strikes and missile attacks on the rebel-controlled capital, Sanaa, and other positions. Yahya Saree, the Houthi spokesman, alleged that the attacks resulted in the deaths and injuries of “a large number of women and children.” Saree also claimed that the Houthis inflicted heavy casualties on government-aligned fighters in attacks on al-Madaribah, Ras al-Ara, and al-Jawf.
The fighting escalates amid regional tensions triggered by the US-Israel war on Iran. Yemen’s internationally recognized government, backed by Saudi Arabia, launched a counteroffensive in September to retake territory lost to the Houthis. The Saudi-led coalition has supported the government’s ground campaign with air strikes, while the Houthis have targeted Saudi airports and oil facilities. The World Health Organization reports that at least 1,771 people have been killed and 7,959 wounded in Yemen since August, with over 300,000 displaced.
Separately, the Houthis claimed to have targeted the Saudi capital, Riyadh, and an Aramco oil facility in Abqaiq. The Saudi-led coalition reported intercepting two missiles fired by the Houthis towards Riyadh and another aimed at the kingdom’s southern region.