Offensive on northern region continues since February, causing military and civilian casualties

Clashes between Houthi and government forces escalate in Marib

photo_camera AP/HANI MOHAMMED - A Houthi rebel fighter holds his weapon during a meeting aimed at mobilising more fighters for the Iranian-backed movement, in Sanaa.

The city of Marib continues to witness bloody fighting between Houthi rebels and pro-government forces. Fighting has intensified in recent days, leaving 47 dead on Saturday. Government military sources reported 16 casualties in their ranks, including six officers. The Houthis, by contrast, do not usually report casualties on their side.

"The Houthis launched attacks on several fronts in an attempt to advance, but most were repelled," state forces told the AFP news agency. Government troops are backed by the Saudi-led military coalition, the main enemy of the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels.

The insurgents' offensive on Marib began in February after the US announced it was ending its support for the Riyadh-led alliance. Washington also removed the Houthis from its list of terrorist groups, prompting Saudi criticism. Marib is the last government stronghold in the north of the country, with oil and gas reserves.

Riyadh views the fighting in the north of its neighbouring country with particular concern, as a Houthi victory would pose a major threat to its home territory. The rebels have launched attacks on Saudi Arabia, hitting a state oil company in Jeddah in the west of the country. According to the Saudi news agency, SPA, the Houthis have launched 11 drones against the kingdom during the fighting in Marib. "The interception operations were successful," the coalition said in a statement, noting that the drones contained explosives. Previous Houthi attacks have targeted the country's civilian airport or a girls' school in the Asir region on the border with Yemen.

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The civilian population of Marib is also suffering the consequences of the fighting. On 10 June, a Houthi attack killed eight civilians and seriously wounded 30 others. Another bombing of a petrol station left 21 dead. For these reasons, the UN has reiterated to both parties that they "must respect their obligations under international humanitarian law". Liz Throssell, spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Office, stresses the prohibition on targeting "civilians and civilian objects and infrastructure".

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The escalation of hostilities comes after a new attempt by the UN and international powers to reach a ceasefire. Martin Griffith, the UN envoy for Yemen, admitted to the Security Council that efforts to end the war in the country have been "in vain". He lamented that "the parties have not overcome their differences". The two sides have been engaged in a war since 2014.

In addition to diplomatic attempts by the UN and countries such as the United States, it is worth noting the rapprochement that is taking place between Saudi Arabia and Iran, traditional enemies. If an agreement is reached, the longed-for stability in Yemen could be closer. Tehran announced on Monday that talks with Riyadh are proceeding "in a good atmosphere". Earlier, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said he sought "a good relationship" with Iran. However, the role that the new ultra-conservative Iranian president, Ebrahim Raisi, may play in this possible rapprochement must be taken into account.

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The conflict in Yemen has caused "the worst humanitarian crisis" according to the UN. As the international organisation reports, 22 million Yemenis are in need of humanitarian aid, 8 million are at risk of famine and 13 million are at risk of starvation. In addition, there are outbreaks of diseases such as cholera, which severely affected the country in 2016, and the current coronavirus pandemic. On the other hand, the population also suffers constant violations of their human rights.

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