Kathmandu— Multiple strikes by Houthi forces have hit residential areas within the Yemeni city of Marib over the weekend, injuring civilians and damaging property, according to local authorities and the country’s Ministry of Information. The attacks, which involved ballistic missiles and drones, are part of a broader escalation in fighting that has gripped Yemen since early August, threatening to undo years of relative calm established by a UN-brokered truce. Marib is home to over two million internally displaced people, making it particularly vulnerable to the ongoing conflict.

Escalating Attacks on Marib

On Saturday, Houthi forces launched four ballistic missiles and four drones at Marib, causing injuries and damage to homes, vehicles, and other property. A fifth missile injured one person later that day, with a sixth fired overnight. Local authorities reported the strikes targeted densely populated areas, including residential neighborhoods and camps for internally displaced persons (IDPs). Video footage verified by Al Jazeera showed the extent of the destruction following Saturday’s attacks.

Broader Conflict Intensifies

The attacks on Marib occurred alongside clashes in southern Yemen, where government forces reported killing three Houthi fighters, including field commanders, and wounding others near Taiz. A separate strike destroyed a Houthi military vehicle, resulting in additional casualties. These incidents are part of a pattern of escalating violence that began in early August, when attacks on military camps in Marib and Hadramout killed at least 30 government soldiers – the deadliest single episode of the conflict in years. Further strikes earlier this month resulted in civilian deaths in both Marib and the port city of al-Makha.

Humanitarian Concerns Grow

Marib hosts the largest number of internally displaced people in Yemen, with over two million residing within the governorate. The targeting of densely populated areas raises significant humanitarian concerns, as it threatens the lives of civilians and exacerbates existing suffering. Yemen’s Ministry of Information denounced the Houthi attacks as a dangerous “escalation” that increases hardship for those already affected by the ongoing war.

The recent escalation in fighting has prompted warnings from UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg, who cautioned the UN Security Council on Thursday that the country faces its highest risk of returning to full-scale war since the 2022 truce.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.