Houthis attack Yemeni forces in Shabwa amid escalation of militia operations
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Yemeni government forces in the southern province of Shabwa announced on Sunday that they had repelled a Houthi attack on their positions in the face of continued expansion of militia military operations.
On Saturday, the Houthis attacked the Shabwa Defense Force in the mountains connecting the Merkha al-Ulya region with neighboring Baida province, leading to a fierce battle that reportedly killed and wounded many soldiers on both sides.
Government troops said the Houthis were forced to halt their offensive and retreat after failing to seize control of the highlands, and that military reinforcements were sent to the front lines to ward off any future action.
Unofficial Houthi media sources reported that their troops had advanced 8 kilometers into government-controlled territory at Merkh al-Uliya.
A Yemeni official in Shabwa told Arab News that the Houthi attacks were intended to distract government soldiers, not to occupy the province.
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