Yemeni forces thwart Iran-backed Houthi attack amid escalation

Yemeni government forces have thwarted an attack by the Houthis on positions along the al‑Mafalis front, south of Haifan, in the southeastern part of Taiz province, as military escalation spikes in several governorates. An official of the Tor al‑Bahah military axis, which is affiliated with government forces, on Thursday said the army’s 4th Infantry Hashd Brigade repelled a Houthi attack on positions on the al‑Mafalis front, adding that “the terrorist Houthi militias suffered heavy losses.”