Yemen’s Houthis launched an offensive over the weekend into Maarib Province, contesting the last pro-government site in northern Yemen. The fighting has continued, often heavy, three days later.
At this point, at least 29 pro-government fighters have been killed, along with an unspecified number of Houthis. Houthi reinforcements were sent to keep the pressure up. The fighting is not over, but so far no territory changed hands.
The UN expressed concern about this, noting they were trying to get a new round of talks going to settle years of war, and that heavy fighting isn’t helping matters. This may, however, be a sign that the peace process is about to get a serious new look.
That’s because if Maarib camp ultimately falls, the two sides will be largely separated by territory along the pre-1990 border of North and South Yemen. This may serve as a basis for a settlement, wherein the pro-Saudi side and their southern separatist allies take the south (and fight over who runs it) while the Houthis keep the north.
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