Yemeni Forces and Houthi Rebels Trade Heavy Strikes as Casualties Mount

OPA WIRE, Nov 11 (OPA) — Fighting intensified across Yemen on Tuesday as forces aligned with the internationally recognized government stepped up operations against Houthi positions. Majed Abdullah al-Nuzaili, a spokesman for Yemen's government forces, said operations targeted rebel strongholds in Lahij, Taiz, Marib, al-Jawf, Hajjah, and al-Bayda provinces.

According to military figures released on Tuesday, government forces executed 29 air strikes, 39 drone attacks, 62 rocket strikes, and 744 artillery bombardments. Al-Nuzaili stated that initial field reports confirmed approximately 190 Houthi commanders and fighters killed or injured, alongside 130 military vehicles and combat assets destroyed or damaged.

In response, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree reported that rebel forces killed and wounded a large number of government-aligned fighters in the Lahij and al-Jawf governorates. Saree also accused Saudi-backed coalition forces of launching 109 air and missile strikes on the rebel-held capital of Sanaa and other Houthi positions.

The renewed escalation coincides with regional tensions linked to the United States and Israel’s war on Iran, while the Saudi-led coalition separately reported intercepting two ballistic missiles targeting Riyadh and another aimed at the kingdom's southern region. The World Health Organization reports that hostilities since August have killed at least 1,771 people, wounded 7,959 others, and displaced more than 300,000 residents across the country.