Fighting in Yemen escalates as government army claims progress 

Fighting in Yemen has intensified as the government’s army claimed progress on the ground against the Houthi militia, state news agency Saba new reported. 
Senior army officials loyal to President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi reported violent battles in Al-Jawf, which is north of Sanaa, in Marib east of the capital, as well as in the west coast.
Brigadier General Abdo Majali, the spokesman for the National Army, said that army forces supported by the Popular Resistance and the Saudi-led Arab coalition achieved strategic victories in Al-Jawf, although fighting continues at the outskirts of the provincial capital of Al-Hazm.
Al-Jawf Governor Major General Amin Al-Akimi said army forces managed to defend the city gate of Al-Hazm after bloody battles with Houthi fighters. 
Majali likewise confirmed that skirmishes continue in Marib and east of Sanaa, but coalition airstrikes were causing huge Houthis casualties. 
The west coast fronts also witnessed clashes with the Houthi militia, the spokesperson said. 
The Houthi militia continuously target civilians, the army official said, including farmers and fishermen in Hodeidah.