Since February, pro-Saudi forces and the Houthis have been fighting over the city of Maarib. The last city in northern Yemen that isn’t under Houthi control, it was seen as a potential game-changer at the time. Thousands have been killed in the fighting, with 400 Houthis killed this week alone.
Months of indecision may be coming to an end, because as the Houthis were suffering high death tolls, they were getting closer and closer. Now, they’ve entered the al-Jubah District of Maarib itself, and have taken much of it.
Local groups say they feel “let down” by the Saudis, and while they fear the fight dragging on for years more, they’re also not totally on board with the Houthis taking it.
If the Houthis end up in control, they will likely try to use the momentum in any future peace talks. Both sides are clearly growing weary of this war, but negotiations will probably be heavily contentious.
Kill the Saudi invaders. Kill any traitors who supports them.