Fighting has intensified in Yemen as government-aligned forces advanced in parts of Taiz while the Houthis reported new attacks on Saudi Arabia.
Forces aligned with Yemen’s internationally recognised government advanced in western Taiz after repelling a Houthi offensive, Al Jazeera reported.
The advance was supported by air strikes on Houthi positions in Mocha, Dhubab and surrounding areas, according to a government forces source cited by Al Jazeera.
Yemen fighting spreads across several fronts
The latest clashes come amid renewed fighting across western Yemen.
Government-aligned forces have been trying to regain territory following recent Houthi advances along the Red Sea coast.
Meanwhile, the Houthis said on Monday that they launched dozens of ballistic missiles and drones towards Saudi Arabia.
The group said it targeted military facilities and infrastructure at King Khalid Air Base in Khamis Mushait.
Saudi Arabia had not immediately responded to the Houthi claims at the time of the report.
The Saudi civil defence agency had issued alerts for Abha and the area around Khamis Mushait on Sunday. However, the alerts were later lifted.
Houthis take Red Sea islands
The fighting has also affected strategically important areas of the Red Sea.
The Associated Press reported that the Houthis had captured additional islands, citing officials from both the Yemeni government and the group.
Houthi officials said their forces had deployed on Greater Hanish and Lesser Hanish.
The islands lie around 160 kilometres north of the Bab al-Mandeb strait.
The waterway is one of the world’s most important maritime trade routes.
Recent fighting has also changed territorial control along parts of Yemen’s Red Sea coast.
Displacement grows as conflict escalates
The renewed violence is increasing pressure on civilians.
The International Organization for Migration said nearly 86,000 people had been displaced by recent fighting in Yemen.
Some have also left the country.
According to the agency, more than 2,000 people have crossed into neighbouring Djibouti.
The latest escalation threatens to deepen Yemen’s humanitarian crisis as fighting continues across several fronts.