Government forces in Yemen conducted military operations targeting Houthi positions across multiple front lines on Saturday, according to military officials. The strikes were described as a necessary response to protect civilians and were launched hours after Houthi forces renewed attacks on populated areas. A military spokesman stated the operations targeted Houthi “capabilities and forces” along various contact points.
The confrontation intensified following Houthi missile and drone attacks that occurred earlier in the week on the provinces of Hadramout and Marib, resulting in at least 30 government soldier deaths and 15 injuries. Houthi shelling resumed in Marib city on Saturday, targeting both military and civilian areas according to government officials. Marib hosts over 2 million internally displaced persons from Yemen’s population of approximately 5 million.
Previous strikes on Friday resulted in civilian casualties, with the Health Ministry reporting two dead and 14 wounded from attacks on the city. The Houthis claimed their operations were aimed at military installations on the city’s periphery. Observers noted this represented the first announced government counteroffensive in several months, marking a significant shift in the conflict’s dynamics.
Analysts expressed concern about the broader implications of the escalation. A Middle East specialist warned of a “looming possibility” that the confrontation could develop into full-scale conflict, noting that Yemen’s civil war technically never concluded and that a 2022 truce had expired. The Houthis alleged that government forces were coordinating with Saudi Arabia on expanded operations against Houthi-controlled areas. Meanwhile, international bodies called for de-escalation between the parties, while also addressing ongoing Houthi strikes targeting commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
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