Yemen’s government forces have initiated a renewed counteroffensive following a period of heightened hostilities, specifically focusing on the renewed shelling of Marib city by Houthi forces, marking a significant escalation in the conflict and raising concerns about a potential return to full-scale war. The escalating situation has been fueled by a complex dynamic involving the Houthis, who have resumed missile and drone attacks on the province of Marib, a city harboring over two million displaced Yemenis and considered a key strategic location.
A military spokesman, speaking to Al Jazeera, stated that the government forces launched the operation hours after the Houthis renewed their shelling of Marib, describing it as a necessary measure to protect civilian populations. The operation, which began Saturday, targeted the Houthis’ capabilities and forces, claiming it was a response to the group’s continued attacks on the provinces of Hadramout and Marib, which have resulted in at least 30 government soldiers and wounded 15 others in recent Thursday killings.
The military operation follows a series of attacks by Houthi forces on the Red Sea, targeting military camps and oil tankers, which have already caused significant casualties. Al Jazeera’s Yousef Mawry reported from Sanaa that this marks the first time in months the government forces had announced a counteroffensive, framing it as retaliation for a shift in Houthi strategy towards preemptive strikes on army positions in Marib and Hadramout, a region vital for the Houthis’ control of territory.
Deputy Information Minister Mohammed Gezan confirmed that the Houthis had resumed shelling civilian neighborhoods in Marib city with missiles and drones, adding that the attack was a deliberate effort to destabilize the city and draw the government forces into a wider conflict. The Houthis claim they are targeting a military camp on the city’s outskirts, while the Yemeni army stated that they successfully repelled a separate attack on Friday evening without casualties. The Houthis have attributed this escalation to suspicions that government forces are coordinating with Saudi Arabia on a broader offensive against Houthi-held territory.
Elisabeth Kendall, a Middle East specialist at Cambridge University, warned that the situation risks tipping Yemen back into a protracted conflict, noting that the 2022 truce had expired. She emphasized that the recent troop movements and clashes demonstrate that all the warning signs are present, though she conceded that government forces are now more unified than in previous years – a shift that could potentially work in the government’s favor if Saudi Arabia intervenes decisively. The United Nations has condemned both the Houthi missile attacks and the group’s continued attacks on oil tankers in the Red Sea, calling for de-escalation and diplomatic efforts to prevent further violence.
Specifically, the government forces have launched a series of airstrikes in the region, targeting Houthi infrastructure and logistical hubs, and deployed special forces to secure key areas, increasing the risk of further clashes. The situation remains volatile, and analysts predict that the potential for a full-scale war in Yemen could continue to escalate, requiring careful monitoring and stabilization efforts.
Source: Al Jazeera
