Toll from Yemen clashes passes 300 as civilians flee homes
Government forces and Iran-backed Houthi fighters have battled for days over a Red Sea gateway in the deadliest flare-up since July’s ceasefire collapse.
Taiz, southwest Yemen, is witnessing a deadly surge in fighting between government forces and Iran-backed Houthi rebels, with the death toll surpassing 300 as of Sunday. Military officials report 84 government troops were killed, primarily in missile attacks, while Houthi sources claim 57 of their fighters were lost. The conflict centers on a key route to the Red Sea, marking the deadliest flare-up since a 2022 ceasefire collapsed.
Families fleeing the violence have taken refuge in camps, including Al-Bareen and another in the area, carrying belongings and livestock. Displaced woman Rawdhah Hasan described the shelling as coming from all sides, forcing her and her family to flee without shoes. The Houthis launched an offensive on Thursday, aiming to control the port city of Mokha and advance towards Bab al-Mandab, the southern entrance to the Red Sea.
The rebels reportedly succeeded in cutting the road linking Taiz to Mokha on Saturday evening. Displaced woman Nimah Saif recounted seeing injured and killed individuals, adding that they were stranded without food. The UN's humanitarian coordination agency estimates 1,790 households have been displaced by intense shelling and clashes in Maqbanah and Jabal Habashi districts.
UN chief Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over the military clashes, warning of devastating political, economic, and security ramifications for Yemen. A government spokesman said fighting had subsided early Sunday, with government forces establishing positions north of Hays. Meanwhile, Yemen's Middle East expert, Farea Al-Muslimi, said the Houthis are exploiting a weak front line at Mokha to cut ties between Taiz and Bab al-Mandab.
US-based think tank New America fellow Adam Baron noted the Houthi offensive has shattered Yemen's ceasefire, with few potential off-ramps. Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the Houthis' maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia and ships add to the tension in the strategically important Bab al-Mandab chokepoint.
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- Toll from Yemen clashes passes 300 as civilians flee homes hindustantimes.com
