Houthi Attack Leaves 14 Yemeni Soldiers Dead

At least 14 government soldiers have been killed in a fresh attack by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen’s western coastal province of Hodeidah, according to a military official speaking to AFP on Sunday.

The official said the assault took place in the Hais district, located in the southern part of Hodeidah, where government forces came under a sudden offensive launched by the Houthis early on Saturday. Fighting reportedly lasted for several hours as troops engaged in heavy exchanges of fire while attempting to repel the advance.

Although the government forces managed to withstand the attack, the confrontation proved costly. Alongside the 14 confirmed fatalities, the official indicated that several Houthi fighters were also killed or wounded during the clashes. A precise figure for Houthi casualties was not disclosed.

The latest violence underscores the fragile and volatile nature of the conflict in Yemen, which has persisted since 2015 when the Houthis seized control of the capital, Sanaa, forcing the internationally recognised government into exile. Since then, the country has remained divided, with the Houthis holding much of the north, including key strategic areas such as Sanaa and the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, while government-aligned forces control large parts of the south.

Hodeidah, in particular, has remained a critical flashpoint due to its strategic importance as a lifeline for humanitarian aid and commercial imports. Despite a UN-brokered ceasefire agreement reached in 2022 that significantly reduced large-scale hostilities, sporadic clashes and localised fighting have continued to erupt in several regions.

Tensions have also been rising in recent days. On Friday, the Houthi movement issued threats targeting airports and key infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, its long-time regional adversary and principal backer of Yemen’s government. The group accused Riyadh of attempting to block the landing of an Iranian aircraft, an allegation that has further inflamed already strained regional relations.

The war in Yemen, now in its second decade, has created one of the world’s most severe humanitarian crises, with widespread displacement, economic collapse, and acute food insecurity affecting millions across the country. Despite intermittent diplomatic efforts, a comprehensive settlement remains elusive, and incidents such as the latest attack in Hodeidah continue to highlight the persistent risk of renewed escalation.