A Yemeni government official said on the 24th local time that the Yemeni government forces and the Houthis had a fierce exchange of fire in Marib province in central Yemen that day, resulting in at least 17 deaths and 35 injuries on both sides.

　　The official, who asked not to be named, said that the Houthi armed forces launched multiple offensives on the western area of ​​Marib Province on the same day, and government forces counterattacked the Houthi armed forces with the air support of a multinational coalition led by Saudi Arabia.

The exchange of fire caused at least 17 deaths and 35 injuries on both sides.

　　The official also said that in recent weeks, Yemeni government forces have seized several strategic locations in Marib Province one after another, and have achieved phased victories in the battle against the Houthis.

　　According to a report on the 24th local time by the Masira TV station controlled by the Houthis, multinational coalition fighters have continued to bomb the organization’s military base in Marib Province for the past two days.

The report did not mention the specific number of casualties.

　　Marib Province is the main oil producing area of ​​Yemen and the seat of the multinational coalition command.

In recent months, Yemeni government forces and Houthi armed forces have repeatedly engaged in fierce exchanges of fire in the province, resulting in the deaths of thousands of people including combatants and civilians from both sides.

　　In September 2014, the Houthis seized the Yemeni capital Sana’a and then occupied southern Yemen.

In March 2015, Saudi Arabia and other countries launched a military operation code-named "Decisive Storm" against the Houthis.

In December 2018, under the mediation of the United Nations, the Yemeni government and the Houthis reached an agreement on issues such as a ceasefire and the exchange of prisoners of war, but soon the two sides accused each other of breaking the ceasefire agreement.

In December 2020, the Yemeni government and the Southern Transitional Council formed a coalition government.

At this point, most areas in southern Yemen have achieved nominal unity.