Kathmandu— Yemeni government forces launched attacks against Houthi positions across multiple front lines on Saturday, following renewed missile and drone shelling of Marib city. The military operation, described by officials as a necessary measure to protect unarmed civilians, comes after recent Houthi strikes killed at least 30 government soldiers in the provinces of Hadramout and Marib.

Escalation in Marib and Hadramout

The surge in violence follows a series of deadly strikes by Houthi forces. On Thursday, missile and drone attacks targeting Hadramout and Marib resulted in the deaths of at least 30 government soldiers and left 15 others wounded.

In Marib, a city that hosts more than 2 million of Yemen’s nearly 5 million displaced people, the situation remains critical. Deputy Information Minister Mohammed Gezan stated that the Houthis have resumed shelling civilian neighborhoods in Marib city using missiles and drones. This follows a Friday attack that killed two civilians and wounded 14 others, according to the Yemen Health Ministry.

Military Objectives and Strategic Shifts

A military spokesman confirmed that Saturday’s counterattacks targeted Houthi capabilities and forces along multiple axes and the line of contact. This marks the first time in months that government forces have announced a counteroffensive, a move framed as retaliation for a Houthi shift toward preemptive strikes on army positions.

The Houthis have defended their actions by claiming they are targeting a military camp on the outskirts of Marib. They further alleged that their strikes are based on suspicions that government forces are coordinating with Saudi Arabia on a broader offensive against Houthi-held territory.

Warnings of Full-Scale Conflict

Experts warn that the recent escalation carries a looming possibility of tipping the country back into full-scale conflict. Elisabeth Kendall, a Middle East specialist and president of Girton College at Cambridge, noted that the 2022 truce has expired and that “all the warning signs are there” regarding a return to widespread fighting.

While Kendall observed that government forces appear more unified than in previous years—a shift that could favor the government if Saudi Arabia intervenes decisively—the threat of renewed war remains high, according to Aljajeera network. Meanwhile, the United Nations has called for de-escalation, condemning both the Houthi missile attacks and the group’s continued strikes on oil tankers in the Red Sea.

The United Nations continues to urge all parties to de-escalate to prevent a wider regional conflict.

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.