Yemen: 10 soldiers killed as fighting with Houthis resumes in Marib
At least 10 pro-Yemeni government forces and several Houthi rebels were killed in renewed fighting in Yemen’s central province of Marib, in latest escalation despite renewed talks of peace efforts.
According to military sources who spoke to AFP, rebel fighters launched an attack on hills overlooking the Harib district in the south of Marib, which is controlled the government forces. Dozens of families in the area fled the clashes. Last month, at least four government forces were killed in the same district.
The renewed fighting threatens international efforts to reach a peace deal between the Iran-aligned Houthis and the Saudi-backed government, building on a truce that expired in October last year. The warring sides had agreed to the nationwide truce in April, a first in six years.
The cease-fire had largely held, although sporadic clashes were reported in oil-rich Marib. In recent years, the Houthis have been pushing to seize Marib, which is the government’s last stronghold in the north of the country.