Clashes between Yemeni government forces and Houthi militants in Marib province leave 11 dead

Xinhua News Agency, Kuwait City, August 11 (Reporter Yin Zhao) Aden news: A military source in Yemen stated on the 11th that the Yemeni government forces and Houthi armed groups exchanged fire in the northeastern province of Marib, resulting in the deaths of at least 8 Houthi fighters and 3 government soldiers.

This anonymous local military source told Xinhua reporters that intense clashes broke out between the two sides near positions in the provincial capital, Marib City. Government forces destroyed a Houthi communication station and missile launch platform located west of Marib City.

As of now, the Houthi armed groups have not commented on this exchange of fire.

Marib Province is a key stronghold for government forces and a major oil and gas production area in Yemen. The Houthi armed groups have attempted multiple times to advance towards the provincial capital and have engaged in fierce battles with government forces there.

In September 2014, the Houthi armed groups seized the Yemeni capital, Sana'a. In December 2018, under UN mediation, the Yemeni government and Houthi armed groups reached an agreement on issues such as a ceasefire and prisoner exchanges, but soon after, both sides accused each other of violating the ceasefire agreement. Subsequently, the UN mediated again, and the conflicting parties in Yemen agreed to a two-month ceasefire starting from April 2, 2022, which was later extended until October 2 of the same year, but no further extension agreement was reached after it expired.