Yemen fighting in Taiz kills 80 combatants, sources tell AFP

DUBAI, Oct 2 - In the past 24 hours, fighting between Yemen's Houthis and Saudi-backed forces near a critical waterway has claimed the lives of 80 combatants, according to sources from both sides who spoke with AFP on Friday. The ongoing conflict in Taiz, which began when Iran-backed Houthis launched a rapid offensive against the internationally-recognized Saudi-backed government, has resulted in significant casualties and territorial gains for the Houthis.

The Houthis have also taken control of the entire Red Sea coast, including the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait, which is vital for both Saudi energy exports and global shipping. Houthi military sources reported that at least 55 anti-government fighters were killed in the Taiz area, while government sources stated that 26 troops perished in the fighting.

The clashes are taking place in multiple locations around the city, including in the highlands overlooking the coastal regions seized by the Houthis. However, the Houthis have not yet captured Taiz city, which is Yemen's third-largest city after Sanaa and Aden. On Thursday, the Houthis demolished a bridge connecting government-held areas to Aden, the country's capital, according to government sources.

The UN's special envoy for Yemen, Hans Grunberg, expressed alarm over the developments in the Taiz governorate, emphasizing that the Houthis' actions pose "grave risks to the civilian population." Grunberg stressed that civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected, and urged all efforts to prevent further harm and ensure safe and unhindered access to those in need.