6 Yemeni govt soldiers killed in Houthi attack in Hodeidah

At least six soldiers from Yemen's government forces were killed and several others wounded on Saturday after the Houthi group launched an attack in the Red Sea province of Hodeidah, a military official told Xinhua.

The Houthi assault targeted two barracks of the 2nd Zaraniq Brigade on the Hays frontline in the southern part of Hodeidah province, where fierce fighting erupted between the two sides, the official said on condition of anonymity.

"The Houthis briefly seized control of the barracks after launching the attack," the official said. "Government forces later regrouped, recaptured the position and forced the attackers to withdraw after hours of intense clashes."

The official said the death toll could rise.

Following the attack, government forces were ordered to raise combat readiness to the highest level across several frontlines amid growing concerns over possible further Houthi military operations, according to local military sources.

The latest fighting comes as the Houthi group has stepped up military and tribal mobilization across areas under its control in recent days.

Local military sources said the Houthis have also deployed additional reinforcements to several frontlines across the war-torn country, fueling concerns over a broader military escalation.

Yemen has been mired in conflict since late 2014, when the Houthis seized control of the capital Sanaa, prompting a Saudi-led coalition to intervene the following year in support of the internationally recognized government.

A UN-mediated truce between the Yemeni government and the Houthis, first reached in April 2022 and renewed twice, lasted for six months before expiring. Both sides have largely maintained a "de facto ceasefire" since then, despite sporadic clashes in several contested regions.