Yemen clashes have killed 63 people over the past 24 hours as Houthi fighters battled Yemeni government forces backed by Saudi Arabia, according to military sources from both sides.
A Yemeni government official said Houthi missile and drone attacks killed at least 23 government soldiers in two southwestern provinces.
Houthi military sources, meanwhile, reported that 40 of their fighters died in Saudi airstrikes and ground fighting.
AFP reported the figures on Thursday, citing military sources from both sides.
Government Forces Report Houthi Attacks
The government side said Houthi forces used missiles and drones during the latest attacks.
The fighting occurred in southwestern Yemen as government forces continued their confrontation with the Iran-aligned Houthi movement.
The latest deaths add to a sharp escalation in Yemen after years of relative calm following the 2022 truce.
The conflict has recently intensified as Houthi forces have launched attacks against Saudi targets while Saudi forces have carried out airstrikes in Yemen.
Houthis Report Losses in Saudi Strikes
Houthi military sources gave a different account of their losses.
They said Saudi airstrikes and fighting on the ground killed 40 Houthi fighters.
Because the casualty figures come from military sources representing opposing sides, independent verification remains difficult.
The latest fighting highlights the renewed intensity of the Yemen conflict.
Fighting Spreads Across Yemen
The recent escalation has extended beyond isolated clashes.
Houthi forces have made major advances along Yemen’s Red Sea coast in recent weeks. The group has also expanded its control toward the strategically important Bab al-Mandab Strait, according to recent reports.
Saudi Arabia has responded with airstrikes against Houthi positions.
At the same time, Houthi fighters have launched missiles and drones toward Saudi territory and targets linked to the kingdom.
The renewed fighting has also forced large numbers of civilians to leave their homes.
Yemen Faces a Growing Humanitarian Crisis
The latest clashes come as Yemen faces another wave of displacement.
The International Organization for Migration reported that more than 112,000 people had been displaced inside Yemen during the recent escalation. Nearly 3,000 others had crossed the sea to Djibouti, according to Reuters.
Families have fled areas affected by missile attacks, airstrikes and ground fighting.
The renewed conflict also threatens important shipping routes around the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait.
For now, the latest 63 deaths underline the rapid deterioration of security in Yemen. Further fighting could increase civilian displacement and deepen the country’s already severe humanitarian crisis.
