Yemen Fighting Escalates: 25 Killed in Clashes Between Government Forces, Houthis

September 4, 2026

Aden: At least 25 people were killed and several others injured on Thursday as heavy fighting erupted between Yemen’s government forces and Houthi fighters in the southwestern Taiz province, according to a government military official.

The casualties included 15 government soldiers and 10 Houthi fighters, the official said. The clashes began at dawn after Houthi fighters launched a large-scale assault on government positions in the villages of Maqbanah and Al-Kadha.

The fighting involved artillery, mortars and other heavy weapons. According to the official, Houthi fighters briefly captured several positions before government reinforcements launched a counterattack and regained some of the ground.

Fresh displacement amid fighting

The latest escalation has also triggered a new wave of displacement in the region. Residents said families were fleeing towards safer areas as Houthi artillery shelling intensified.

The ground fighting coincided with missile and drone attacks in western Yemen. Government forces said the Houthis had fired 14 ballistic missiles and launched drone attacks towards areas along the western coasts of Taiz and neighbouring Hodeidah province.

Government air defences reportedly intercepted several drones. The Houthis had not immediately commented on the fighting or the claims made by government forces.

Tensions rise near Red Sea

The latest clashes come amid increasing military activity between the two sides across several fronts in Yemen.

On Monday, Yemeni government forces said they had intercepted four explosive-laden boats operated by the Houthi group as they attempted to approach government-held islands near international shipping routes in the Red Sea.

According to Yemen’s state-run Saba news agency, the boats were intercepted while attempting to approach the strategic Hanish Islands and Zuqar Island, which overlook key international shipping routes in the southern Red Sea.

A military source said additional movements by Houthi boats were detected on Sunday and Monday as they attempted to approach the islands.

Fighting intensifies across Yemen

Fighting between Yemen’s government forces and the Houthis has intensified across several fronts in recent weeks.

Government forces have increased drone and artillery strikes against Houthi positions, while the Houthis have continued missile and drone attacks against government-held areas in Marib and along Yemen’s western Red Sea coast.

The latest violence underscores the continued instability in Yemen, where renewed fighting is also raising concerns over civilian displacement and security around vital Red Sea shipping routes.