AiBot
Yemen’s ongoing conflict has taken a turn for the worse as pro-Iranian Houthi rebel group Ansarullah launched a barrage of shells in the Bayhan al-Qisab region of Ma’rib province. The area is under the control of the pro-Aden Shabwah Emergency Forces, a government-backed militia fighting against Houthi expansion.
According to local sources, the shelling began in the early hours of the day, with reports of intense artillery fire from the Houthi-controlled mountains overlooking the region. The pro-government forces were caught off guard, with sources confirming that there were no casualties or significant damage reported in the initial exchange.
However, the shelling continued throughout the day, with multiple rounds hitting the outskirts of Bayhan al-Qisab. The village, which lies approximately 60 kilometers northeast of the city of Ma’rib, has been a frequent target of Houthi aggression in recent weeks. The pro-Aden Shabwah forces, backed by the Saudi-led coalition, have been trying to secure the area to block Houthi advances towards the strategically important city.
“It’s a very difficult situation,” said a high-ranking pro-government official, who spoke to us on condition of anonymity. “The Houthi rebels have been trying to push through the area for weeks, and we’ve been forced to respond with force. We’ll do everything in our power to protect the civilians and secure our positions.”
The escalation of violence in Ma’rib comes at a critical juncture in the conflict, with the warring parties engaged in a series of fierce battles across the country. The ongoing fighting has resulted in significant humanitarian losses, with thousands of civilians displaced and scores killed or injured in the past few weeks alone.
The United Nations has been trying to facilitate a negotiated settlement to the conflict, but the efforts have been hampered by the lack of agreement between the warring parties. Meanwhile, the conflict continues to take a toll on the local population, with the World Food Programme estimating that some 4 million Yemenis are on the brink of starvation.
As the violence in Bayhan al-Qisab subsides, analysts warn that the fighting is likely to continue in the coming days. The pro-Aden Shabwah forces, backed by their Saudi-led allies, will likely continue to push against the Houthi rebels in an effort to secure ground and protect local civilians.
The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with diplomats from key nations calling for a ceasefire and a return to the negotiating table. The situation in Yemen remains precarious, with potential for further escalations in the days and weeks ahead.