Yemeni forces say Houthi attack in Taiz repelled as hostilities escalate

What happened

Al Jazeera Yemen reports that Yemeni government forces say they repelled a Houthi attack on positions along the al-Mafalis front, south of Haifan in southeastern Taiz province, describing heavy losses inflicted on the Houthis. An official from the Tor al-Bahah military axis affiliated with the government said the 4th Infantry Hashd Brigade foiled the assault and emphasized ongoing joint military and security operations in the area.

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 Yemeni government also announced it has conducted artillery and drone strikes targeting Houthi positions and gatherings in multiple governorates, including northern al-Dhalea near al-Fakhir market, with state television reporting Houthi casualties. Yemen’s deputy minister of information, Fayyad al-Numan, told German agency dpa that government forces carried out intensive shelling and drone attacks on various fronts on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, government forces’ air defenses reportedly engaged Houthi reconnaissance drones over al-Makha (Mocha) in southwestern Yemen, a strategic Red Sea port. This is part of a spike in military activity following intermittent clashes that resumed in early July after a relative lull since April 2022.

Known from the source

• Yemeni government forces claim to have repelled a Houthi attack on the al-Mafalis front in southeastern Taiz province.
• The 4th Infantry Hashd Brigade of the government forces was reportedly involved in repelling the attack.
• Yemeni government forces engaged Houthi reconnaissance drones near al-Makha.
• The government announced artillery and drone strikes against Houthi positions in several governorates, including al-Dhalea.
• Yemen’s deputy minister of information confirmed intensive shelling and drone attacks on Houthi militias on several fronts on Wednesday.

What remains unclear

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi stated the government will respond to any Houthi action with comprehensive deterrence and rejected calls for a truce resembling past failed agreements. He reiterated support for a permanent peace founded on a sovereign state monopoly on weapons and sovereignty, reiterating an offer for the Houthis to disarm and participate in nation-building.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Independent verification of the reported heavy Houthi losses in the al-Mafalis front attack. Exact casualty figures from the government shelling near al-Fakhir market and other strikes. Verification of the identity of drone operators and air defense engagements over al-Makha.

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.