Yemen’s southwest sees surge in casualties after village assaults

In the early hours of Thursday, the villages of Makbana and Al‑Qadha in Taiz governorate became the focal points of a violent showdown between Yemeni state troops and Houthi insurgents. The clash resulted in at least 25 deaths, as disclosed by a senior army official.

The casualty count comprises 15 government soldiers and 10 Houthi combatants. The Houthis initiated a large‑scale attack on government installations, deploying heavy artillery, mortars and rockets. The government side responded with comparable firepower, leading to a protracted exchange of heavy weapons.

Initial Houthi gains in the contested villages were reversed when reinforcements bolstered the government's position, enabling a counter‑strike that reclaimed lost ground. Residents of the surrounding area narrated how the intensified fighting forced many families to abandon their homes, contributing to a fresh displacement wave.

Beyond the ground battle, the western coast of Yemen experienced additional aggression. Government statements allege that the Houthis launched 14 ballistic missiles toward Taiz and neighboring Hudaydah’s western coastal districts, accompanied by drone attacks that were reportedly intercepted by Yemen’s air‑defence installations.

The Houthi group has yet to comment on the developments or dispute the government’s accusations.