Renewed clashes in Shabwa province, a region rich in oil and gas in southeastern Yemen, resulted in 23 casualties on Sunday, involving the internationally recognized government’s loyal Yemeni joint forces and the Houthi group, “Ansar Allah”.
According to a Yemeni military source speaking to Sputnik, the confrontations took place at the administrative borders between Na’man and Naţţā’ districts in central Yemen’s Al Bayda province and Bayhan district in Shabwa.
The fighting, which lasted several hours in mountainous areas between Shabwa and Al Bayda, primarily occurred at the Al Quwaym front in Wadi Khar, Bayhan district, west of Shabwa.
The skirmish led to seven deaths from both sides, including four attackers from “Ansar Allah”, and 16 injuries.
The military source revealed that the Giants Brigades dispatched substantial reinforcements to the outskirts of Bayhan district to secure their positions, especially after “Ansar Allah” managed a limited breach, which was countered by the government-aligned forces.
This escalation follows an incident last Wednesday, where six individuals were killed and 13 wounded in clashes between the government forces and “Ansar Allah” at the Al Quwaym front in Wadi Khar, Bayhan district, and at the Al Qandā’ mountain range in Na’man district, central Al Bayda province. These areas have strategic significance due to their overlook of the Bayhan district.
Prior encounters between the two sides on January 18 resulted in five fatalities and 11 injuries, as reported by a military source to Sputnik.
This increase in hostilities coincides with the anniversary of the government forces’ announcement on January 7, 2022, of regaining control over the Bayhan, Asilan, and Ain districts in Shabwa, following battles with the “Ansar Allah” group. This came months after the group had seized control during a widespread attack on September 21, 2021.
