Marib (South24)

---

Clashes erupted between Yemeni government forces and the Iran-backed Houthi group in several areas in the North Yemeni governorates of Marib and Al-Jawf, the Yemeni Defense Ministry’s September 26 newspaper said on Saturday.

The newspaper quoted military sources as saying that pro-government forces repelled attempts by the Houthi militia to advance on the Raghwan front, north of Marib, resulting in casualties and damages to the Houthis, while a government soldier was killed and some others were injured in the clashes.

According to the statement, Houthi forces targeted military sites belonging to government forces in several areas using heavy artillery, Katyusha rockets, drones and snipers.

Repelling the Houthi attacks in the Marib and Al-Jawf fronts, the Yemeni army was able to destroy Houthi military vehicles and equipment, which were being used to build fortifications and dig new trenches, the statement said.

It said that the Houthis have intensified their engineering activities in the contact areas by transporting heavy equipment, digging trenches, and planting mines.

There was no immediate comment from the Houthis on the latest developments.

In 2021, the Houthis seized several districts of Marib Governorate after fierce battles with the tribes and forces loyal to the Yemeni government. However, they were unable to control the governorate capital, the city of Marib, which bears the same name, and the Wadi district, where the oil and gas fields are concentrated.