Fighting in Yemen’s Taiz Area Leaves Dozens Dead Amid Conflicting Claims

At least 80 combatants were reportedly killed in fighting between Houthi forces and Saudi-backed government troops in Yemen’s Taiz area, while the UN warned of grave risks to civilians.

Fighting between Yemen’s Houthi forces and Saudi-backed government troops in the Taiz area has reportedly killed 80 combatants, according to sources on both sides who spoke to Agence France-Presse.

The casualty figures remain contested. Houthi military sources said at least 55 anti-government fighters were killed during the previous 24 hours, while government sources reported the deaths of 26 troops on their side. The separate figures add up to 81, one more than the overall toll cited by sources on both sides.

The reported casualties could not be independently verified.

Fighting across Taiz

The clashes have continued since the Houthis launched what has been described as a lightning offensive against Yemen’s internationally recognised, Saudi-backed government. The fighting has taken place across several fronts, including highland areas overlooking coastal territory seized by the Houthis.

Houthi forces have taken control of the whole Red Sea coast, including areas around the Bab al-Mandab strait, a waterway regarded as important to global energy flows. However, the group has not taken control of Taiz city, which is described as Yemen’s third-largest city after Sanaa and Aden.

Government sources also told AFP that Houthi forces destroyed a bridge linking government-held areas with Aden. Aden is the base of the internationally recognised government.

UN warning

Hans Grunberg, the United Nations special envoy for Yemen, said he was alarmed by developments in Taiz governorate and warned that Houthi operations posed “grave risks to the civilian population”.

“Civilians and civilian infrastructure must be protected. Every effort must be made to prevent further harm and ensure safe and unhindered access to people in need,” Grunberg said.

The latest fighting adds to the continuing conflict between the Houthis and government forces in Yemen. The reported clashes have occurred near coastal areas connected to the Bab al-Mandab strait, although the exact location of the fighting has not been specified beyond the Taiz area and nearby coastal zones.