Arabic version: متمردو الحوثي يقتلون 16 جندياً يمنياً في اشتباكات الحديدة

Sixteen government troops have been killed in by Houthi rebels in the Hodeidah governorate, in the most violent clashes in years. This incident occurred in the Jabal Dabbas area, as reported by officials and medics.

According to Al Jazeera, Walid al-Qudaimi, a minister of state and cabinet member aligned with Yemen’s internationally recognized government, confirmed the deaths on Saturday evening. He stated that the soldiers were killed while “defending their land and dignity.”

Medical sources indicated that hospitals along the Red Sea coast received 16 dead from pro-government forces and reported 22 others wounded. An officer from the government-aligned forces described the clashes as the deadliest Houthi attack in years, noting that Houthi fighters employed snipers, drones, and mortars during the assault.

The fighting began late on Friday when the Houthis briefly seized pro-government positions. However, government forces launched a counterattack and regained control of the sites by dawn on Saturday. While the Houthis also suffered casualties, specific numbers were not disclosed.

The Houthis have fought Yemen’s internationally recognized government since 2015. They control the capital, Sanaa, and much of northern Yemen, including Hodeidah, while the government is based in Aden and holds significant areas in the south. Although a United Nations-brokered truce in 2022 had largely frozen front lines, sporadic violence has persisted, including recent threats from the Houthis against Saudi Arabia, which supports Yemen’s government.