Fighting escalates between Houthis and Saudi-backed forces

Yemen’s west coast has seen a sharp escalation in fighting between Houthi forces and Saudi-backed government troops, with hundreds of casualties reported and military experts warning of a potential war of attrition near the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait.

The clashes are concentrated along the Red Sea coast toward Bab al-Mandab, the strait linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden and a key shipping route between Asia and Europe. Meanwhile, the Yemeni government said it has told UN envoy Hans Grundberg that it remains ready for peace and stressed that navigation through Bab al-Mandab is safe. The UN says it is continuing efforts to reduce tensions and bring the parties back to the political process.