Yemen: intensification of fighting in Marib, 53 dead in 24 hours

Fighting between Houthi rebels and pro-government forces has intensified near Marib, the last government stronghold in warring northern Yemen, killing 53 on both sides in the past 24 hours, loyalist military officials said on Saturday.

These fighting focused on the fronts of Kassara and Machjaa, northwest of Marib, capital of the eponymous oil-rich province, according to these sources. The rebels have been trying since early February to seize this loyalist stronghold, located 120 kilometers from the capital Sanaa, controlled by the Houthis since 2014, like much of the north of the country. “The rebels have managed to gain some ground” during the fighting, one of the military sources told AFP, but without threatening the town of Marib itself.

Twenty-two government soldiers, including five officers, were killed in the fighting, according to military sources, who say 31 rebels were also killed. The rebels rarely communicate their losses.

The coalition aviation, led since 2015 by Saudi Arabia, intervened in support of pro-government forces, according to these sources. Despite these bombings, the rebels continue their offensive. In recent months, they have also stepped up missile and drone fire at Saudi Arabia and rejected a Riyadh proposal for a ceasefire.

The loss of Marib would be a blow to the government and Riyadh, but also a threat to civilians, at least a million displaced people having found refuge in camps in the region. The conflict, triggered in 2014 by an offensive by rebels who conquered large swathes of the territory, has killed tens of thousands of people, according to NGOs, and pushed millions more to the brink of famine. It is the worst humanitarian crisis in the world according to the UN.