Heavy clashes erupt in Taiz as Yemeni forces repel Houthi offensive

TAIZ, YEMEN - OCT. 21, 2026: Fierce clashes broke out on Wednesday, Oct. 21, between Yemeni government forces and Houthi fighters along the outskirts of Taiz as rebel forces attempted to push into the strategically vital southwestern city.

On Tuesday, the Yemeni army said it had carried out 744 attacks against the group over 24 hours, neutralizing around 200 of its members and destroying or damaging 90 vehicles and other military assets.

Yemen has been engulfed in conflict since the Houthis seized the capital Sanaa and several other provinces in September 2014, prompting a Saudi-led coalition to intervene in March 2015 in support of the internationally recognized government.

The Houthis control much of northern and western Yemen, while government forces and their allies hold Aden and large parts of the country’s southern and eastern provinces.