Yemeni Army Reports Over 200 Houthis Killed or Injured in Taiz Clashes
Clashes in Taiz
Yemeni government forces report more than 200 Houthis killed or injured in fighting in the southwestern province of Taiz. [1] Government forces say a drone was downed during the clashes. [1] Military vehicles and tanks were also destroyed or damaged in the fighting in the southwestern province. [1] These claims come amid intensified operations in Taiz as part of broader renewed conflict. [1]
Yemeni Government Response
Yemeni Prime Minister Shaya al-Zindani described Houthi attacks and the siege of Taiz as a war crime. [2] The prime minister urged urgent international action to lift the siege and protect civilians. [2] He called for immediate steps to address the situation in the city. [2] The statement highlights the government's view of the Houthi actions as violations requiring external intervention. [2]
Yemeni Prime Minister Shaya al-Zindani calls Houthi attacks and Taiz siege a war crime. — Source: anadolu
Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia
Houthis vowed continued attacks on Saudi airports and oil facilities. [3] The group claimed strikes on Aramco headquarters in Dhahran, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, and a Riyadh refinery. [5] Saudi-led forces reported intercepting a ballistic missile toward Riyadh. [3] Saudi-led forces say they intercepted a missile fired by the Houthis toward the capital. [5] The Houthis said they had launched ballistic missiles, cruise missiles and drones at the targets. [5] Saudi authorities issued an alert for a possible aerial threat in Riyadh before the warning was lifted. [5]
Impact on Saudi Sports and Business Events
The Saudi Pro League postponed three Matchweek 9 fixtures, including Cristiano Ronaldo’s Al Nassr match against Al Ahli. [3] The league cited logistical considerations after Houthi attacks and a missile interception near Riyadh. [3] The Al Nassr match against Al Ahli has been rescheduled for March 6, 2027. [3] Saudi Aramco headquarters suffered extensive damage including a multi-floor fire. [5] Some staff at Aramco were shifted to remote work. [5] The Future Investment Initiative was converted to a hybrid event. [5]
Saudi football league postpones three matches after Houthi attacks on Saudi targets. — Source: middleeastmonitor
Humanitarian Calls for De-escalation
ICRC president Mirjana Spoljaric called for de-escalation and civilian protection. [4] The statement cited an alarming rise in deaths in Yemen. [4] It described the unacceptable civilian toll from recent military operations in the region. [4] The operations in the Middle East are taking an unacceptable toll on civilians according to the ICRC president. [4] Deaths, injuries and destruction that have struck Saudi Arabia in recent days were noted as further examples of devastating consequences. [4]
Background of the Conflict
Yemen has been engulfed in conflict since the Houthis seized the national capital, Sanaa, in 2014. [3] The Saudi-led coalition intervened militarily in support of the government in 2015. [3] The Houthis say they have been retaliating for the kingdom's backing of Yemeni government forces in the Yemen war that restarted last month. [5] The conflict reignited by the US-Iran confrontation in the Gulf. [5] The escalating conflict has dealt a blow to Saudi plans to transform and diversify the economy. [5] Renewed fighting includes cross-border missile and drone attacks and intensified coalition airstrikes in Houthi-controlled parts of Yemen. [3]
What to watch next: Houthis have vowed to press on with attacks on airports and oil facilities while urging international shipping companies, civilians and workers to evacuate those sites.
