18 Houthis Killed in Fighting in Southern Yemen

The state news agency of the Saudi-backed Yemeni government is reporting that they have foiled an attempted Houthi offensive in the southern Dhalea Province on Friday, killing at least 18 Houthis and wounding 12 others.

Dhalea is south of the oft-contested province of Ibb, and while fighting there is unusual, it is not unheard of. Generally though, offensives have either gone further west through Taiz, or further east through Mahrah.

Fighting hasn’t been as heavy in the south in recent weeks, though a ceasefire in Hodeidah may mean both sides are relocating their combat forces into other parts of the country where they can continue the war.

Fighting in Hodeidah has largely stopped, though the pro-Saudi side claimed the Houthis had killed four of their fighters in artillery fire around the city, declaring it another ceasefire breach. Both sides are accusing the other of violating, though the truce seems largely intact.