A day after the expiration of the Yemeni ceasefire, fighting is escalating dramatically in and around the Yemeni city of Taiz, with the pro-Saudi Hadi forces repelling a push by the Houthis in the West, and launching a major offensive of their own in the eastern suburb.
The Red Cross is reporting “intense fighting” throughout the city, with bodies in the streets and hundreds of people wounded. Indiscriminate sniper fire and shelling from both sides have left a growing number of civilians trapped in their homes.
The 48 hour ceasefire expired yesterday, with both sides trading blame for the repeated violations during the brief pause. There was no agreement on an extension, nor indeed any indication that there were serious talks about an extension.
The Hadi forces were never fully on board with the last ceasefire anyhow, complaining when the US announced the deal that they were never really consulted on the matter. Both the Shi’ite Houthis and the Saudi coalition agreed on the ceasefire, though again there wasn’t any indication either fully stopped during the pause.