At least 25 people were killed and several others wounded on Thursday as heavy fighting erupted between Yemen's government forces and Houthi fighters in the southwestern province of Taiz, according to a government military official. The clashes mark one of the deadliest single-day confrontations on this front in recent weeks.

How the Clashes Unfolded

The fighting broke out at dawn after Houthi fighters launched a large-scale assault on government positions in the villages of Maqbanah and Al-Kadha, according to the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity. Fifteen government soldiers and 10 Houthi members were killed in the confrontation, which involved artillery, mortars, and other heavy weapons.

The Houthis reportedly seized several positions briefly before government reinforcements mounted a counterattack and recaptured some ground, the official said. The Houthis have yet to publicly comment on the clashes or the government's statements.

Missile and Drone Attacks Along the Western Coast

The ground fighting coincided with a broader aerial offensive. Government forces reported that the Houthis fired 14 ballistic missiles and launched drone attacks targeting areas along the western coasts of Taiz and the neighbouring province of Hodeidah over several hours. Air defences reportedly shot down several of the drones.

Notably, this multi-front escalation — combining ground assaults, missile strikes, and drone attacks — signals a coordinated Houthi operational push rather than isolated skirmishes.

Civilian Displacement and Humanitarian Impact

Residents told reports that the intensified Houthi artillery shelling triggered a fresh wave of displacement, with families fleeing toward safer areas. The humanitarian toll of the conflict in Taiz has been severe for years — the province has been among the most contested battlegrounds of the Yemen war, with civilians caught repeatedly between the two sides.

Red Sea Threat: Explosive Boats Intercepted

Earlier this week, on Monday, Yemeni government forces said they intercepted four explosive-laden boats operated by the Houthi group as they attempted to approach government-held islands near international shipping lanes in the Red Sea. The state-run Saba news agency, citing a military source, reported that the vessels targeted the strategic Hanish Islands and Zuqar Island before being stopped by government naval forces.

The source said further Houthi boat movements were detected on both Sunday and Monday, as they attempted to close in on islands that overlook key international shipping routes in the southern Red Sea. The incidents underscore the Houthis' continued threat to maritime security beyond Yemen's land borders.

Broader Escalation Across Multiple Fronts

Fighting between government forces and the Houthis has intensified across several fronts in recent weeks. Government forces have stepped up drone and artillery strikes on Houthi positions, while the group has responded with missile and drone attacks on government-held areas in Marib and along the western Red Sea coast. The pattern points to a sustained escalation with no immediate signs of a ceasefire.