At least 16 Yemeni government troops killed in Hodeidah clashes with Houthis

Fighting has intensified along Yemen's western Red Sea coast after some of the deadliest clashes in years between forces loyal to the internationally recognised government and the Ansar Allah, commonly referred to as the Houthis. Government officials say at least 15 soldiers were killed in battles in southern Hodeidah province, while claiming around 50 Houthi fighters were killed as government forces repelled attempts to advance towards areas outside Houthi control. The clashes have raised fears that the de facto ceasefire in place since 2022 could collapse. Al Jazeera's Yousef Mawry says control of southern Hodeidah is strategically important because it provides access to the Red Sea and key ports linking Hodeidah, Taiz and Ibb provinces. The renewed violence follows recent tensions over an Iranian flight landing at Sana'a airport despite Saudi efforts to prevent it. Mawry warns that without de-escalation, Yemen risks sliding back into a wider civil war. Subscribe to our channel: http://bit.ly/AJSubscribe Follow us on X: https://X.com/AJEnglish Find us on Facebook:   / aljazeera   Check our website: http://www.aljazeera.com/ Check out our Instagram page:   / aljazeeraenglish   Download AJE Mobile App: https://aje.news/AJEMobile #Yemen #Hodeidah #AnsarAllah #Houthis #YemenGovernmentForces #HodeidahClashes #YemenCeasefire #YemenClashes #YemenRedSeaPorts #AlMokhaPort #BabAlMandab #YemenEscalation