Yemeni government forces strike Houthi positions in Ad Dali

Yemeni government forces announced Saturday they launched drone strikes targeting Houthi positions in the southwestern province of Ad Dali, claiming the attacks inflicted heavy casualties and destroyed military equipment. The Southern Armed Forces, led by Presidential Leadership Council member Abdul Rahman al-Muharrami, reported that the strikes hit Houthi barracks, trenches, tunnels, troop concentrations, and military vehicles on the Bab Ghalaq, Al-Fakher, and Maris fronts in northern Ad Dali.

According to the forces, the strikes were a direct response to Houthi troop movements and reinforcements along the front lines. The operation aimed to preemptively counter activities that threatened their positions. A video was also released, purportedly showing drone strikes against Houthi positions and movements. The Houthi group had not immediately commented on the claims.

Fighting has seen periodic intensification on several Yemeni fronts since last month, with dozens reported killed or wounded on both sides. Yemen has experienced a relative lull in widespread conflict since April 2022, following years of intense fighting between government forces, supported by a Saudi-led coalition, and the Iran-aligned Houthis, who seized control of Sanaa and significant parts of the country in 2014.