Yemen government forces strike Houthis after renewed shelling of Marib city

What happened

Al Jazeera reports that Yemen’s government forces launched coordinated attacks on Houthi positions along multiple front lines on Saturday, hours after the Houthis resumed missile and drone shelling on Marib city. A military spokesman described the offensive as necessary to protect civilians, targeting Houthi “capabilities and forces” along contact lines.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. The escalation follows Houthi attacks on the provinces of Hadramout and Marib on Thursday, which reportedly killed at least 30 government soldiers and wounded 15 others. Deputy Information Minister Mohammed Gezan alleged renewed Houthi shelling on civilian neighborhoods in Marib, which hosts a large displaced population.

According to Yemen’s Health Ministry, a Houthi attack on Marib on Friday killed two civilians and injured 14 more, though the Houthis state their operations target military camps on the city’s outskirts. Government forces also claim to have repelled a separate attack Friday evening without casualties.

Known from the source

• Yemen government forces attacked Houthi positions on multiple front lines on Saturday.
• The attacks followed renewed Houthi missile and drone shelling on Marib city and Hadramout province.
• At least 30 government soldiers were killed and 15 wounded in Houthi strikes on Thursday.
• A Houthi attack on Marib on Friday killed two civilians and wounded 14, per Yemen’s Health Ministry.
• Yemeni government forces say they repelled an attack Friday evening without casualties.

What remains unclear

Al Jazeera’s correspondent in Sanaa notes this represents the first announced government counteroffensive in months, characterizing it as a response to Houthi preemptive strikes in Marib and Hadramout. The Houthis justify their attacks as suspicions of close government-Saudi coordination aimed at expanding offensives on Houthi-held territory.

Experts warn this resurgence of hostilities could trigger a return to full-scale conflict. Elisabeth Kendall, Middle East specialist, highlights recent troop movements and clashes as clear warning signs, while noting greater government unity may influence the conflict’s trajectory. The UN has called for de-escalation amid ongoing Houthi missile attacks and strikes on Red Sea shipping.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Exact casualty numbers and whether all figures are independently verified. Precise attribution of the counterattacks to Yemen government forces as described. Verification of Houthi claims about targeting military camps only.

Evidence note

This story contains report-led claims. The article keeps those claims attributed and treats them as unconfirmed/hearsay unless independently corroborated.

Original source: Al Jazeera Yemen. Open the source.