Heavy Fighting Erupts in Al-Dhaleh as Joint Forces Repel Houthi Incursions

Violent confrontations broke out early Wednesday between Joint Forces, government troops, and Iranian-backed Houthi militias on multiple fronts in the northern and northwestern parts of Al-Dhaleh Governorate, central Yemen.

A field military source informed "خبر" agency that the Joint Forces engaged Houthi groups attempting to infiltrate their positions in the sectors of Baitar, Al-Mashareh, and Al-Thukhab in the Qatabah district, as well as positions on the outskirts of Al-Husha district. Both sides utilized various medium and heavy weaponry during the clashes.

The source added that the confrontations followed similar engagements late Tuesday on the Murais front, north of Qatabah. Government and Joint Forces repelled a Houthi assault before launching a counter-offensive targeting militia positions in the area.

In a concurrent development, government aviation targeted Houthi reinforcements in the Juban district, as announced by the army. Information regarding the extent of losses from these airstrikes was not immediately available.

These clashes occur amid escalating military movements by the Houthi militia across several battlefronts, with attempts to achieve battlefield breakthroughs and regain the initiative. This comes as the militia faces increasing military pressure on other fronts, including the West Coast, Al-Bayda, and Jawf.

Recent days have witnessed reciprocal escalations in various Yemeni conflict zones. Government and Joint Forces have relied on ground assaults, air support, and drones to counter Houthi movements.

Yemen has been embroiled in a protracted war since the Houthi militia's coup and seizure of the capital, Sana'a, in late 2014. The primary lines of contact remain concentrated in several governorates, despite a decrease in the intensity of fighting compared to the war's initial years.