25 Killed in Heavy Fighting Between Yemen Government Forces and Houthis

Aden, September 3, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)

At least 25 people were killed and several others wounded on Thursday in heavy fighting between Yemen’s government forces and Houthi fighters in southwestern Taiz province, according to a Yemeni government military official.

The casualties included 15 government soldiers and 10 Houthi fighters, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. The clashes erupted at dawn after Houthi fighters launched a large-scale assault on government positions in the villages of Maqbanah and Al-Kadha.

The fighting involved artillery, mortars and other heavy weapons. According to the official, the Houthis briefly captured several positions before government reinforcements launched a counterattack and recaptured some of the ground.

Residents told Xinhua that the escalation triggered a fresh wave of displacement, with families fleeing toward safer areas as Houthi artillery shelling intensified.

The ground clashes coincided with missile and drone attacks in western Yemen. Government forces said the Houthis had fired 14 ballistic missiles and launched drone attacks against areas along the western coasts of Taiz and neighbouring Hodeidah province over several hours. Air defence units reportedly intercepted several drones.

The Houthis have not commented on the latest fighting or the government’s claims.

The escalation follows reports earlier this week that Yemeni government forces intercepted four boats allegedly carrying explosives as they approached government-held islands near key Red Sea shipping lanes. State-run Saba news agency, citing a military source, said the boats were attempting to approach the strategic Hanish and Zuqar islands before being intercepted by government naval forces.

Fighting between the two sides has intensified across several fronts in recent weeks. Government forces have increased drone and artillery strikes on Houthi positions, while the Houthis have continued missile and drone attacks on government-held areas in Marib and along the western Red Sea coast.