Houthis Escalate Attacks Across Yemen, Targeting Infrastructure and Civilians

Houthi forces, supported by Iran, have intensified attacks across multiple fronts in Yemen over the past 24 hours. The group has targeted infrastructure, residential areas with artillery and drone strikes, while engaging in clashes with government forces in Taiz, Hodeidah, and Dhale provinces. The escalation has extended to areas near the Al-Wadiah border crossing and the Al-Abr region in Hadhramaut.

A field source reported that four fuel tankers were destroyed following a Houthi shelling near the Al-Wadiah border crossing. The nature of any human casualties resulting from this incident remains unclear. In Hadhramaut, a Houthi drone targeted a hangar in Al-Abr, causing material damage, according to local sources.

In Taiz, intermittent clashes erupted between government forces and Houthi militias on the northern front of the city, with similar engagements occurring in the Al-Kuraifat front east of Taiz. Government forces reportedly targeted a Houthi vehicle on the Al-Aqrosh front in the south of the province, resulting in injuries to one Houthi fighter.

On the western coast, National Resistance forces announced the thwarting of a large-scale Houthi offensive on their positions in the Hays front of Hodeidah province. This assault coincided with artillery shelling that impacted residential villages and displacement camps. Military sources indicated that one of the National Resistance brigades repelled a surprise attack by Houthi elements towards Jabal Dawbas, north of Hays district. Intense fighting ensued for approximately two hours, involving various types of weaponry, resulting in casualties among the attackers and the flight of several Houthi elements.

The offensive was accompanied by Houthi artillery fire that struck four liberated residential villages north of Hays district with over 20 mortar shells. Houthi shelling targeted the villages of Al-Haraz, Al-Marjim, Mashia, and Al-Bugheil, which are inhabited by civilians and displaced persons, causing fear, panic, and damage to homes and property. Some families have been forced to evacuate their homes in search of safer locations due to the continued shelling.

In western Taiz, local sources reported intensive Houthi shelling on the Hamir, Al-Ashmala, and Al-Yaman areas in the Maqbanah district, raising concerns of civilian casualties and property damage. In Dhale province, a civilian was injured by a Houthi drone strike on a farm north of Murais. This incident followed an earlier Houthi mortar attack on a passenger vehicle traveling from Sana'a to Aden on the main road in the Murais area, which injured two civilians.

Since early July, Yemen has experienced a significant Houthi escalation, targeting civilian facilities, vital installations, and commercial sites, including the port of Mocha, as well as areas in the west coast and Marib province. Reports indicate dozens of civilian casualties, damage to property and infrastructure, and disruption to the livelihoods of thousands of workers.

Amidst the ongoing escalation, Yemeni activists and citizens have called upon the Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council and the coalition command to make decisive political and military decisions to complete the liberation of areas under Houthi control, end the coup, and restore state institutions. They expressed their readiness to participate in the battle to reclaim state institutions and urged an end to the military and political stalemate, which they believe prolongs the suffering of Yemenis and exacerbates the crisis. They also warned of the continued threats posed by the Houthis to Yemen, the region, and international shipping lanes.