Fighting in Yemen's Marib intensifies again: government sources
The Iran-allied insurgents escalated their efforts to seize Marib, the government's last stronghold in northern Yemen, in February, and the fighting has killed hundreds on both sides.
A Yemeni government fighter fires a vehicle-mounted weapon at a frontline position during fighting against Houthi fighters in Marib, Yemen March 28, 2021.
Fighting between Yemen's warring parties in the gas-rich Marib region has intensified, at a time the United Nations and United States are pushing for a peace deal.
The fighting between June 24 and June 27 killed 29 pro-government personnel and at least 82 rebels following a renewed offensive by Houthis insurgents, three pro-government sources said on Sunday.
Rebel forces have not confirmed the toll.
The Iran-allied insurgents escalated their efforts to seize Marib, the government's last stronghold in northern Yemen, in February, and the fighting has killed hundreds on both sides.
Yemeni government officials said that since Thursday, the Houthis had mounted intensive attacks from the north, south and west, but were unable to breach government defences which were supported by air cover from a Saudi-led military coalition.
"These areas witnessed fierce fighting amid artillery shelling from both sides and intense coalition air raids," one government military official said.
Control of the oil-rich region of Marib would strengthen the Houthis' bargaining position in peace talks, but the battle has also raised fears of a humanitarian catastrophe, as many Yemenis had fled to the area to escape fighting in other parts of the country.
READ MORE: Battle for Yemen's Marib flares up as 90 fighters killed in two days
Yemen's conflict flared in 2014 when the Houthis seized the capital Sanaa, prompting the Saudi-led intervention to prop up the government the following year.
While the UN and Washington are pushing for an end to the war, the Houthis have demanded the re-opening of Sanaa airport, closed under a Saudi blockade since 2016, before any ceasefire or negotiations.
As well as the bloody offensive in Marib, the Houthis have also stepped up drone and missile strikes on Saudi targets, including its oil facilities.
This month the outgoing UN envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths told the Security Council his own efforts over the past three years to end the war had been "in vain".
The fighting has killed tens of thousands and left some 80 percent of Yemenis dependent on aid, in what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis.
The war has also displaced millions of people and left many on the brink of famine.
READ MORE: Yemen crisis is worsening and the world must act now, say aid workers
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