Yemen clashes kill 35 as Al Houthi militants try to retake western Taiz

Sana’a: Yemeni security and medical officials say 35 fighters have been killed in clashes between Al Houthi militants and Yemeni forces in Taiz, the country’s third-largest city.

The officials say Al Houthi militants were trying to retake the western part of the city Saturday, while a Saudi-led coalition launched more than a dozen air strikes to prevent Al Houthis from advancing.

Yemen’s civil war pits Al Houthi militants against fighters allied with the internationally recognised government. A Saudi-led coalition began launching air strikes against Al Houthis in March 2015.

Iran-backed Al Houthis had besieged Taiz for over a year until Yemeni forces and resistance fighters pushed them out of the western part of the city last week, reopening a passage into Taiz.

All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to brief reporters.