Following reports of heavy fighting over the city of Maarib, in northern Yemen, pro-government sources are claiming that 90 fighters were killed over the past 48 hours, including 63 rebels and 27 loyalists.
Maarib is the last government-held city in the north, and has been challenged for months by Houthi offensives. This fight has been ongoing, in between offensive and counter-offensive, since February.
Fighting in Maarib has been particularly bloody, with hundreds dead on both sides, and most troubling, little sign that either side is making any progress. As with most of the Yemen War, territory just doesn’t change hands that much.
The loss of Maarib would allow the Houthis to claim de facto control of the north, and might force the government to shift to focus on contesting the south with separatists. The Houthis have been sending ever more fighters into the area.
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