Yemeni officials say heavy fighting in Taiz kills 48

AP
Yemeni fighters loyal to the Yemeni president hold a hill-top position northwest of the central city of Taiz, on April 20, 2017. (AFP)

SANAA: Yemeni security officials and witnesses say fighting between Houthi militia and forces loyal to Yemen’s internationally recognized government in the southwestern city of Taiz has killed at least 48 people on both sides.
They said Friday that fighting intensified earlier this week when forces loyal to President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi attempted regain full control over the city and expel Houthi militia surrounding it.
They also said that Arab Coalition forces backing Hadi carried out several airstrikes on Houthi-controlled bases. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media, while the witnesses did so for fear of reprisals.
The coalition has been at war with the Iran-backed Houthis since March 2015 to reinstate Hadi’s government.

Topics: Yemen Taiz Houthis Arab Coalition