Military confrontations renewed Monday between Yemen's government Nation's Shield Forces and the Ansar Allah (Houthi) group in the Haifan District, south of Taiz province. Four government soldiers were killed and five others got injured, military sources in Haifan of Taiz said.
Over the past few weeks, troops belonging to the Nation's Sheild Forces have been deployed to frontlines in Taiz and Lahj, prompting the Houthis to launch attacks on pro-government forces.
The military source said the Monday clashes left at least five Houthis dead and dozens of injuries. According to the source, five Houthi bodies arrived at Al-Rahida Hospital in the Houthi-controlled Khadir district of Taiz.
On Saturday, May 18, a soldier from the Nation's Shield Forces was killed in a drone attack launched by the Houthi group on government-controlled locations in Haifan.
The fighting in Taiz has escalated as the Nation's Shield Forces keep sending military reinforcements towards the frontlines in Haifan, south of Taiz province, and Aerim in the Al-Qubaita District, north of Lahj province. The deployed military force has been described as massive.
The Shield Forces were established by the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) in January last year with support from Saudi Arabia. Sources estimate that it has about 15000 fighters, and its commander is Brigadier General Bashir Al-Mudharibi, who belongs to Lahj province.
Residents in Haifan expressed worry about the renewed battles between the Houthis and government forces. According to residents, the clashes portend a worsening humanitarian situation and a wave of displacement of families.
The Security Committee in Taiz on Monday warned against the Houthi group's escalation on the fighting fronts and the recruitment of children to target security and stability in the province.
The Security Committee's meeting reviewed the military situation and developments on the fronts and the Houthi attempted advances through snipers, planting mines, and unmanned aerial vehicles.
Meanwhile, the Houthi group today announced the downing of an American MQ_9 drone in the airspace of Al Bayda province. The group used a surface-to-air missile to attack the drone. This is the fifth American drone the group has downed since November last year. A few days ago, the group claimed responsibility for shooting an MQ-9 drone over Marib.
The military escalations in Yemen have intensified over the past few weeks, and peace prospects have grown faint. Clashes between the Yemeni government and the Houthi group have lately resumed in Marib, Lahj and Dhale.
The parties to the conflict in Yemen agreed to the UN roadmap for peace in early December last year. However, progress was frozen as the Houthis escalated attacks on the shipping lanes in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.