Yemen conflict escalates, raising fears of prolonged war

Fighting between Yemen's government forces and the Houthi group has intensified in recent days, with Saudi Arabia and its allies stepping up airstrikes in support of the government.

The escalation has opened new fronts along Yemen's Red Sea coast and raised the stakes around the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait.

But despite battlefield gains, analysts say neither side is likely to secure a decisive victory anytime soon.

Instead, Yemen could be heading toward a prolonged war — potentially echoing the conflict that began in 2015.

On Tuesday, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree said the group had carried out dozens of attacks against gatherings of Saudi-backed forces in southern Yemen's Lahij region.

He claimed the attacks left more than 200 people dead or wounded, describing the reported toll as "unprecedented" in the recent fighting.

The Houthis also reported a sharp increase in Saudi airstrikes.

At least two explosions were heard in Yemen's capital Sanaa on Tuesday night, accompanied by the sound of fighter jets.

The Houthis said Saudi Arabia had carried out airstrikes overnight on Sanaa and the provinces of Amran, Saada and Al-Jawf.

The group said 66 Saudi air and missile strikes had hit Houthi-controlled areas over the previous 24 hours, bringing the total number of such attacks since the latest military escalation to 1,642, according to its own account.

Government forces make gains along Red Sea coast The latest escalation follows a series of advances claimed by Yemen's government forces.

A day earlier, government forces said they had recaptured the strategic Red Sea port city of Mokha after fierce fighting with the Houthis.

They also announced that they had seized parts of Dhubab, a strategically located town near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, claiming to have secured "effective control" of the key waterway.

The Houthis rejected the claims, saying they remained in control of all areas they had recently captured.