An American move and new statements by the Houthi leader ... the destruction of marches bombed in the airspace of Saudi Arabia and fierce battles in Taiz and Marib.

The Saudi-led coalition announced the destruction of several drones launched by the Houthis against the Saudi cities of Jizan and Najran, while battles continued on both fronts of Taiz and Ma'rib.

While the Houthi leader set conditions for accepting Riyadh's ceasefire initiative, Washington reiterated its commitment to achieving peace in Yemen.

Saudi state television reported that the coalition intercepted and destroyed several drones that were launched Thursday towards targets in the Kingdom.

The coalition said that the Houthi group tried to target the universities of Najran and Jizan, two Saudi cities close to the Yemeni border.

And he added that he destroyed a drone bomb that targeted Najran, in addition to six other drones that the group launched towards the Kingdom.

The Houthis have recently intensified their drone and missile attacks on Saudi Arabia, including on oil installations.

Hot fronts

Inside Yemen, violent battles have been taking place between the army loyal to the legitimate government and the Houthis in the Muqabna front, west of Taiz, since dawn today.

The Army Media Center stated that the battles resulted in the killing of an army officer and wounding 4, in addition to the deaths and injuries of the Houthis, and the Houthis did not comment on these developments.

Meanwhile, Marib is witnessing clashes between the Yemeni army and the Houthis in the Kassara area of ​​the Serwah District.

The army had repelled an attack by the Houthis in the Al-Abdiya district, south of Marib, and prevented their infiltration into the area.

Al Houthi speaks

For his part, the leader of the Houthi group, Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi, said that the path to peace is clear and requires an end to the aggression, an end to the siege and an end to what he called the occupation of the Yemeni governorates.

He added that the air strikes that were directed at "deep within the coalition represent a great inconvenience to them."

He also stressed that his forces will not surrender and that their defense position is legitimate according to all considerations and that they are not waiting for permission from the Security Council and the United Nations.

During his speech, Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi rejected what he called the attempts by Saudi Arabia, America and some European countries to persuade his group to barter the humanitarian file for military and political agreements.

These statements came 3 days after Saudi Arabia announced an initiative to solve the Yemeni crisis, including a unilateral ceasefire, expressing its hope that the Houthi response would preserve Yemeni blood.

The (initiative) includes a comprehensive ceasefire under the supervision of the United Nations and the deposit of taxes and customs revenues for ships and oil derivatives from the port of Hodeidah (western Yemen) in the Central Bank.

It also includes the opening of Sanaa International Airport to a number of direct regional and international flights, and the start of consultations between the various parties under the auspices of the United Nations.

An American commitment

In addition, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken stressed the commitment of the United States to push for a comprehensive peace process in Yemen.

In a phone call with Yemeni Prime Minister Moein Abdul-Malik, Blinken renewed Washington's support for the Yemeni government, and its call on the Yemeni parties to work towards the full implementation of the Riyadh Agreement.

Blinken also welcomed the Yemeni government's support for a comprehensive ceasefire, and its involvement in the UN-led political talks.

The US Secretary of State stressed the need for a ceasefire and a lasting and comprehensive peace agreement to achieve full economic recovery and address the humanitarian crisis.

Earlier, the US State Department announced in a statement that the US special envoy to Yemen, Tim Lenderking, would hold meetings with senior government officials in the Middle East to discuss international efforts aimed at a ceasefire and reaching a peace agreement in Yemen.

It is assumed that Yukon Tim Lenderking went to the region in the past hours, according to a statement issued by the US State Department.

For about 7 years, Yemen has been witnessing an ongoing war between the pro-government forces backed by an Arab military alliance led by the Saudi neighbor, and the Iran-backed Houthis who control several provinces, including the capital, Sanaa.