Yemen: Clashes east of Taiz and Houthi attack on al-Maqatira fortress in Lahj

Clashes renewed between Yemeni government forces and Houthis east of Taiz with heavy and medium weapons, coinciding with an attack launched by the group at dawn on Saturday on al-Maqatira fortress in Lahj province, according to military sources. The attack was preceded by a Houthi reconnaissance drone flight, and government aircraft carried out four airstrikes on Houthi positions east of Taiz on Friday evening.

Clashes renewed between Yemeni government forces and the Houthi group on Saturday on the eastern front of Taiz city, coinciding with an attack launched by the group on al-Maqatira fortress in Lahj province in southern Yemen. Reports indicated renewed clashes east of Taiz using heavy and medium weapons, amid artillery shelling and aircraft activity. In Lahj province, a military source said the Houthis began their attack on al-Maqatira fortress at 2 a.m. on Saturday, following military movements and preparations in the area since Friday evening. The source added that the group sent reinforcements of personnel and military vehicles, including a tank and a military vehicle, in an attempt to seize the fortress, noting that clashes were ongoing at the time of his report. According to the same source, the attack was preceded by a Houthi reconnaissance drone flight over the fortress on Thursday evening, which government forces stationed there tried to confront and shoot down. The field escalation came after government aircraft carried out four airstrikes on Friday evening targeting Houthi positions near the Sofitel Hotel east of Taiz city, as reported by Al Jazeera quoting the military spokesman for government forces. Clashes renewed on the eastern front of the city after hours of relative calm that followed the airstrikes.