Fighting continues between Yemen gov’t forces, Houthis: What is the latest?

Fighting has intensified on several fronts in Yemen as the government forces have carried out air attacks on Houthi positions in attempts to retake Mocha, days after the Iran-backed group captured the strategic port city, tightening its grip on the Red Sea – a vital shipping lane.

The Houthis, also known as Ansar Allah (supporters of God), have accused Saudi Arabia of launching more than 100 air attacks on Yemen within the past 48 hours.

Saudi Arabia backs the internationally recognised government, which has described the latest fighting as a “battle for survival”.

The fighting has forced tens of thousands of Yemenis from their homes, including more than 2,000 who headed to Djibouti.

What is the latest situation on the ground? What is the Saudi role in the conflict, and how has Iran responded?

On Saturday, Yemeni government forces said they had launched air attacks on Houthi fighters along the Red Sea coast after the group seized full control of the strategic shoreline.

Yemen’s government news agency, Saba, reported that “the armed forces destroyed vehicles and weapons and killed members of the Houthi terrorist militia backed by the Iranian regime” near the port city of Mocha.

The spokesperson for the government forces, Majed Abdullah al-Nazili, said they also struck the Houthis’ “vehicles and members” on the Mocha-Dhubab road, 11km (7 miles) from the city, according to Saba.