Human casualties in Yemen following intense clashes between the Houthis and government forces supported by Saudi Arabia have reached 169. These clashes began on Sunday and continue, forcing thousands of local residents to leave their homes due to the violence.
Escalation of Tensions and Casualties
According to reports, Houthi military officials announced that at least 118 people have died in the clashes and Saudi air and artillery strikes in the provinces of Taiz, Al-Jawf, Marib, and Saada. Meanwhile, Yemeni government sources reported that at least 36 of their own forces have also been killed in these clashes.
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The Houthis accused Saudi Arabia of attacking the port city of Mocha on Tuesday, killing six civilians, including two children. They also claimed that a Saudi attack on a prison in Al-Jawf province resulted in the deaths of nine prisoners.
Humanitarian Consequences and Crisis
The clashes in Yemen have exacerbated a humanitarian crisis that was already dire. Approximately 22 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, and 5.2 million are currently displaced within the country due to the fighting. With the continuation of these clashes, the number of displaced persons is expected to reach 230,000.
Since the onset of the civil war in Yemen in 2014, the Houthis have taken control of the country's capital and overthrown the Yemeni government. A coalition led by Saudi Arabia intervened to support the Yemeni government and began air operations against the Houthis. However, tensions have risen again, and the fighting continues intensely.
In recent weeks, the Houthis have taken control of Mocha and other strategic cities, thereby gaining dominance over the Bab al-Mandab Strait, one of the most important global shipping routes. These changes have heightened Saudi concerns, as control of this area would mean dominance by Iran-backed forces over two vital shipping routes for the country's energy exports.
In light of these circumstances, Saudi Arabia has increased international efforts to counter Houthi attacks and has requested military support from the United States. In this context, Donald Trump contacted the head of Yemen's Presidential Council, Rashad al-Alimi, expressing solidarity, although he did not promise military support.
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