Over 130 Houthis killed in battle for Marib

Saudi-backed government troops repel a Houthi rebel offensive on Marib on February 14, 2021. (AFP)
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  • Houthi violence near Yemen’s port of the western province of Hodeidah has displaced more than 6,000 people

RIYADH: The Arab coalition in Yemen said on Tuesday it had killed over 130 Houthis in the past 24 hours in strikes in and near the northern pro-government bastion of Marib.

The Arab coalition has been reporting high death tolls in almost daily strikes since October aimed at repelling a militia offensive on the city of Marib.

“Sixteen military vehicles were destroyed and more than 130 terrorist elements eliminated” in the latest raids, the coalition said in a statement.

It said the operations were carried out in Marib and Al-Bayda provinces.

The Houthis began a major push to seize Marib city in February, and renewed their offensive in September.

There was also reported fighting on a separate front, along Yemen’s Red Sea coast after Houthis pushed south in recent days.

The coalition said on Tuesday they targeted four Houthi positions along the western coast.

Houthi violence near Yemen’s lifeline port of the western province of Hodeidah has displaced more than 6,000 people, according to the UN.

On Monday, the coalition said in a statement that the “redeployment and repositioning” of its troops and government forces last week was designed “to support the Yemeni government in its national battle on all fronts.”

The UN Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement urged warring factions in Hodeidah to engage in talks to frame new arrangements in the province and to adhere to their previous commitments to protect civilians. 

“UNMHA further urges all parties to the conflict to uphold their obligations to protect civilians.”