Yemen government forces counterattack Houthis amid intensified fighting over Bab al-Mandeb Strait

Fighting in Yemen has escalated this week as forces loyal to the internationally recognized government have launched a series of counter‑offensives against the Iran‑backed Houthi movement. The attacks, reported across the northern provinces of Marib and Saada, aim to reclaim territory lost during the Houthis’ recent advances and to disrupt the rebel group’s supply lines. Government‑aligned troops, supported by Saudi Arabian and United Arab Emirates air power, have targeted Houthi positions with artillery and precision strikes, while the Houthis have responded with rocket fire and drone attacks on coalition bases.

The renewed hostilities have heightened concerns over civilian casualties and the already dire humanitarian situation in the war‑torn country. United Nations agencies warned that intensified combat could further restrict access to aid corridors and exacerbate food insecurity for millions of Yemenis. Both sides have called for a return to negotiations, but the latest round of fighting suggests a hardening of positions as each side seeks to consolidate control over strategic areas before any diplomatic breakthrough.