Yemen: Houthi Attack Kills 14 Government Soldiers in Hodeidah

At least 14 Yemeni government soldiers were killed in an attack by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the southern part of the port city of Hodeidah. A military official from the Yemeni government confirmed this information to AFP on Sunday. The official stated that government forces repelled a surprise attack by the Houthis in the Hais area, south of Hodeidah. The clashes, which began early Saturday morning, lasted for several hours. The military official also mentioned that several Houthi rebels were killed or injured, but did not provide specific numbers. The Houthis have been fighting the Yemeni government since 2015, leading to a decade-long civil war that has caused millions of deaths and a severe humanitarian crisis. The rebels currently control most of the northern areas, including the capital Sanaa and the strategic port of Hodeidah on the Red Sea coast. The internationally recognized government controls most of the southern regions. A UN-brokered ceasefire agreement in 2022 had largely suspended major fighting between the two sides. However, last Friday, the Houthi rebels threatened to attack airports and key installations in Saudi Arabia, a major backer of the Yemeni government. The rebel group, part of Iran's 'axis of resistance' against Israel and the United States, accused Saudi Arabia of attempting to obstruct an Iranian aircraft landing.