Fighting in Yemen has intensified sharply, with more than 270 government troops and Houthi fighters reportedly killed within 24 hours.
The latest clashes have centred on southwest Yemen, particularly areas surrounding the strategically important Bab al-Mandab strait.
Meanwhile, the Houthis have claimed attacks against targets in Saudi Arabia and rejected claims that government forces have retaken their recent territorial gains.
The escalation has also displaced more than 184,000 people, adding further pressure to Yemen’s long-running humanitarian crisis.
More Than 270 Fighters Reportedly Killed
Government sources said 115 troops died during the past 24 hours. Dozens of others were reportedly wounded in the fighting.
The government forces also suffered casualties from Houthi missile and drone attacks.
Meanwhile, Houthi military sources said 160 of their fighters were killed during the same period. They attributed many of those deaths to Saudi air strikes against areas under their control.
The competing casualty figures could not be independently verified from the battlefield information provided.
Houthis Claim Attack on Riyadh Airport
The Houthis also claimed they had attacked Riyadh’s main airport and a refinery belonging to Saudi state oil company Aramco.
Loud explosions were reported across the Saudi capital on Monday evening. Another explosion was heard in northern parts of Riyadh on Tuesday.
King Khalid International Airport also faced frequent temporary airspace closures, according to flight-tracking information.
However, Saudi authorities did not publicly confirm the reported airport strikes or acknowledge the temporary closures.
Saudi civil aviation authorities later said three people were wounded in attacks on Jazan and Najran airports near the Yemeni border.
Saudi Arabia Says Missile Was Intercepted
Saudi Arabia’s coalition said its forces intercepted a ballistic missile launched by the Houthis. Coalition spokesman Major General Turki al-Maliki said the missile was “intercepted and destroyed”.
The missile was reportedly heading toward Khamis Mushait, which is home to a Saudi airbase.
The development came amid continued Houthi attacks and Saudi military operations linked to the escalating Yemen conflict.
Houthis Reject Claims of Losing Territory
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree denied that the group had lost territory captured during its recent advance. He said the group still controlled all areas seized last month along Yemen’s western coast.
Saree said Houthi fighters “have full control over all their advances on the ground”. He also claimed that Houthi forces carried out dozens of attacks against government troops in Al-Jawf and Marib.
Additional attacks were reportedly conducted in Taiz governorate as fighting continued across several areas.
Mocha Remains a Key Battleground
Yemeni government forces said they had achieved “victories on several fronts” during the latest fighting. However, government military sources stopped short of confirming that Mocha had been recaptured.
They said government forces had instead cut the only supply route leading to the area.
Government forces also claimed they had expelled Houthi fighters from several areas in Taiz. Fighting has intensified there in recent days.
A 33-year-old charity worker who fled Mocha for Aden described the situation in the city. “Life in Mocha has come to a complete standstill — there is no movement at all. The city has become a war zone,” he said.
Saudi Air Strikes Reportedly Kill Six Family Members
The Houthi health ministry said a Saudi air strike killed six members of one family in Hajjah governorate.
The reported victims included four children. Hajjah borders Saudi Arabia and remains part of the wider area affected by the conflict.
Saudi Arabia has been providing air support to Yemeni government forces during their counter-offensive against the Houthis.
Meanwhile, Yemen’s government has set a goal of retaking all territory controlled by Houthi forces.
Much of that territory contains a large share of Yemen’s population and has remained under Houthi control for more than a decade.
More Than 184,000 People Displaced
The latest fighting has further worsened Yemen’s humanitarian situation. The Houthi campaign along the Red Sea coast has forced more than 184,000 people to leave their homes, according to the United Nations.
Yemen’s wider conflict has already created a major humanitarian crisis. As a result, most of the population remains dependent on humanitarian assistance.
A spokesman for the UN secretary-general said he was “deeply concerned by the sharp escalation in fighting”. He also condemned Houthi cross-border attacks against Saudi Arabia.
Pakistanis in Saudi Arabia Urged to Exercise Caution
Pakistan Ulema Council Chairman Tahir Mehmood Ashrafi has urged Pakistanis living in Saudi Arabia to remain cautious. He advised the community against sharing images or videos showing Houthi drone and missile attacks.
The warning also covers interception operations, missile debris, security installations and other sensitive locations.
Ashrafi urged Pakistanis to follow Saudi laws and official instructions during the current security situation.
He also advised the community to avoid spreading unverified information or rumours. Instead, he urged people to rely on official Saudi sources for information about security incidents.
Yemen Conflict Enters Another Dangerous Phase
The latest escalation has opened another intense chapter in Yemen’s prolonged conflict. Government forces are attempting to recover territory from the Houthis, while the group continues to reject claims of major territorial losses.
At the same time, fighting around the Red Sea coast has displaced thousands of people and increased concerns over civilian safety.
The conflict has also drawn Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Türkiye into closer security coordination. Pakistan and Türkiye pledged to deploy troops to Saudi Arabia under their mutual defence pact.
With fighting continuing across Yemen, the humanitarian consequences are also becoming increasingly severe.
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