Yemen’s Houthis Gain Ground East of Capital in Renewed Fighting

Years into the Saudi-led invasion of Yemen, the Shi’ite Houthis are making some of their biggest gains in years in a new round of fighting, reclaiming ground in the country’s north, east of the capital of Sanaa, and forcing the pro-Saudi government into a “tactical withdrawal.“

The most recent fighting was in the Jawf Province, which was almost entirely government controlled. Local officials say heavy fighting near the ancient town of Baraqish has left at least 20 fighters dead.

Locals also describe this new round of fighting as being met by an increase in Saudi airstrikes, with at least 21 in the area on Sunday. The Saudis have heavily relied on air power in the Yemen War, though this has often come at the expense of civilian casualties.

Tit-for-tat strikes have shown an escalation in fighting on both sides. Last week, the Houthis fired a missile at a government base, hitting the mosque within and killing an estimated 100 soldiers. This led to escalated strikes and fighting on both sides.