Khaberni - Several fronts in the provinces of Taiz and Hodeidah in western Yemen are witnessing fierce battles between the Yemeni government forces and the Ansar Allah group (Houthis), resulting in dozens of deaths and injuries and the displacement of hundreds of civilians, according to the Yemeni government announced on Friday.
On its part, the Yemeni government forces reported that the air force entered the battle and bombed Houthis' positions in the Hays front west of Taiz for the first time.
AFP quoted sources from both sides as saying that more than 120 people were killed yesterday Thursday and today Friday in clashes described as the most violent in years.
The agency also quoted a Yemeni military official, who asked not to be named, as saying that the death toll of the government forces since yesterday Thursday had risen to 66, while medical and military sources close to the Houthis reported at least 62 militants killed.
The fierce clashes and ongoing military confrontations since the dawn of yesterday Thursday are concentrated on several main fronts in the provinces of Taiz and Hodeidah in western Yemen.
Military sources stated that the Houthis are trying to isolate the coastal city of Mokha, which has been subjected to continuous attacks during August, from the rest of the areas under government control and advance towards the coast overlooking Bab al-Mandab, in efforts to seize control of it from the government forces.
Gaining control of the hills and elevated areas overlooking the coast and the routes leading to Bab al-Mandab Strait would enable Houthis to target passing shipping vessels in the Red Sea.
Widespread displacement from Taiz
In another development, the Yemeni government announced today, Friday, the displacement of 917 families due to the military escalation in western Taiz province since the dawn of yesterday Thursday, according to preliminary statistics.
A statement released by the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation office in Taiz province stated that the province is witnessing accelerated humanitarian developments due to renewed clashes and military escalation in the Maqbanah district and a number of adjacent areas, particularly the Jabal Habashi district, leading to forced displacement and evacuation of residents, as well as targeting residential areas and gathering and shelter sites for the displaced.
The statement explained that the displacement included areas including the settlements of Uzlah Yemen, Al-Abdillah, Al-Ashmalah, and Al-Jab camp in Maqbanah district.
Given the continued escalation and violent battles, government entities assume the number of displaced people will rise amid the possibility of new waves of displacement.
The statement warned that the displaced families face extremely difficult humanitarian conditions, amid acute shortages of shelter, emergency shelter materials, food, and clean drinking water.
These developments come amid a military escalation in western Yemen between the government forces and the Houthi group, involving clashes and attacks with ballistic missiles and drones.
The confrontations between the government forces and the Houthi group have resumed since early July in several provinces, including Marib (central) and Al Jawf (north), as well as Dhale and Taiz, following a period of calm that lasted since April 2022 after a war erupted nearly 12 years ago between the government forces and Houthis, who have controlled several provinces and cities, including the capital Sanaa, since September 21, 2014.
