Houthi-Government Clashes Escalate in Yemen: 194 Killed as Both Sides Fight for Red Sea Control
· World · Al Jazeera, New York Times, India Today
The United Nations-recognised Yemeni government and Iran-backed Houthi forces have clashed fiercely in Taiz, al-Jawf, Marib, Dhalea, and the western coast, killing at least 194 people and wounding 880 in the past two weeks. The Houthis are intensifying attacks on the Red Sea coastal district of al-Makha (Mocha), just 60km from the Bab al-Mandeb strait, to secure a foothold and disrupt shipping—a vital route for global trade. Government forces are pushing to expand control in Taiz and Marib, an oil-rich northern region, while the Houthis seek to cut supply routes between Mocha and Taiz. Experts warn that gains or losses on these fronts could drastically alter the balance of power, with the Houthis aiming to tighten their grip near the Red Sea’s southern entrance. Missiles and drones have devastated Mocha’s port facilities, and the Houthis are reportedly advancing ground operations toward the city.
Why it matters
The conflict directly threatens global shipping through the Red Sea, a critical artery for oil, trade, and commerce, with potential ripple effects on global fuel prices and supply chains. Yemen’s instability also risks further displacement of civilians, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
Read the original report — Al Jazeera
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