At least 130 Yememi rebels and pro-government troops have been killed during two days of fierce clashes over the energy-rich city of Marib, officials said Tuesday.
Since February, Houthi rebels have renewed their campaign to take control of the strategic northern city. On Monday, the rebels stepped up their assault and were met with a volley of air strikes from the Saudi-led coalition that is supporting the Yemeni government..
Yemen’s military reported that its forces have killed and wounded at least 130 Houthi fighters with the help of tribal fighters and Saudi-led coalition airstrikes. It also claimed to have destroyed multiple vehicles during the two days of fierce clashes.
Hundreds of fighters on both sides have been killed this month as the Iranian-backed Houthis intensified their efforts to capture the government’s last northern stronghold.
Marib lies roughly 120 kilometres east of the rebel-held capital Sanaa and is key to completing the Houthis’ control over the Northern half of Yemen.
Marib province is also surrounded by valuable oil and gas reserves. Its Safer oil refinery is one of only two in Yemen, and has the capacity to produce 10,000 barrels per day.
The city and its surrounding oil fields are the last of the government-held territory in the north. Since the war began in 2014, Houthi rebels have tried multiple times to take control of it without success.
According to AP, the rebels usually attack with waves of fighters charging government lines, making them a target for Saudi-led airstrikes. The Houthi media office said the coalition launched more than 30 airstrikes on their fighters around Marib on Monday.
The upsurge in violence comes as Washington continues to press for a ceasefire in the region. On Monday, Joe Biden’s national security advisor Jake Sullivan travelled to Saudi Arabia to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to discuss the conflict.
Writer: Shania Kannasen
Photo Credit: AFP