At Least 65 Killed as Houthis Advance on North Yemen’s Maarib

 

Yemen officials claim media aims to boost Houthi morale

by Jason Ditz 

Posted onApril 25, 2021CategoriesNewsTagsYemen

Scores of fighters were killed over the weekend in the ongoing battle over the north Yemeni city of Maarib. Yet more Houthi progress is reported on the northwest fronts toward the city, despite heavy Saudi airstrikes.

Maarib is the last government-controlled city in northern Yemen, and Houthi forces are said to be approaching the city itself. The government, however, is contesting this report.

Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani denied the Houthi advances, and further expressed anger at Agence France Press for reporting that. He called the Houthis a “collapsed militia” and accused AFP of publishing misinformation to raise their morale.

Control over Maarib has been a major focus in recent months, and seems to be slowing efforts at a new round of peace talks as both sides seem to want to see this battle sorted out first. While the exact state on the ground is never clear, it’s likely that both sides are continuing to fight.

https://news.antiwar.com/2021/04/25/at-least-65-killed-as-houthis-advance-on-north-yemens-maarib/