Yemen Fighting Leaves 63 Dead as Houthis Clash With Saudi-Backed Forces

Yemen fighting between Houthi rebels and Saudi Arabia-backed government forces has killed 63 people in the past 24 hours, according to military sources from both sides. The deaths were reported as clashes and airstrikes continued in parts of Yemen.

A Yemeni government spokesman said that 23 government troops were killed in missile and drone raids by Iran-backed Houthis. The assaults occurred in two southwestern regions, according to the official.

Houthi military sources reported a different total for their casualties. They claimed 40 of their fighters were killed in Saudi airstrikes and ground combat over the same time period.

Yemen Fighting Intensifies Along Red Sea Coast

The Houthis have gained control of Yemen’s entire Red Sea coastline since last week, as they continue their swift advance. The organization has also accused Saudi Arabia of conducting hundreds of airstrikes in Yemen in recent days.

The Houthis have reacted by launching missile and drone assaults on sites beyond the Saudi border. The violence has exacerbated the region’s overall turmoil and increased worries about key energy shipping routes.

On Wednesday, the Houthis claimed to have taken down a Saudi F-15 fighter plane. The organization published a video showing fighters near what seemed to be the burnt wreckage of an aeroplane. The film also revealed a portion of a wing with Saudi insignia.

The report about the fighter plane surfaced while the battle between the two sides continued. The source provided no more details regarding the supposed accident.

Yemen Fighting Adds Pressure on Energy Routes

The fight between Yemen and Saudi Arabia is taking place while a larger war rages throughout West Asia. The war has jeopardised another major route for Gulf oil exports, especially since the Houthis seized territory in the Red Sea and islands near the Bab el-Mandeb strait.

Global oil prices dipped marginally on Thursday, although they remained over $100 per barrel. Fuel costs have climbed dramatically in several regions, with the average US retail price for diesel approaching $6.40 per gallon, setting a new record.

Saudi Arabia is also experiencing difficulty on another oil route. Its East-West Pipeline, which transports oil across the Arabian Peninsula for shipping from the Red Sea, has been halted since last week’s assault, which Riyadh blamed on Iraq.

US President Donald Trump has so far turned down Saudi demands for military aid against the Houthis. The Houthis agreed to a truce with the US last year after Washington launched two months of bombardment on the organization.

Trump stated on Wednesday that he felt the battle was approaching an end and that Iran wanted to strike an agreement. However, negotiations between the United States and Iran have not restarted since a temporary accord signed in June fell apart within weeks.

The US Navy is presently attempting to help ships transiting through the Strait of Hormuz while simultaneously imposing a blockade on Iranian ports. Iran says the strait will stay blocked until Washington lifts the embargo, and it is negotiating with Gulf nations on tariffs for ships accessing the waterway.