Clashes between Iran-aligned Houthi forces and Saudi-backed Yemeni government troops along Yemen’s Red Sea coast have resulted in significant casualties over the past several days. According to reports, as many as 169 people have been killed in fighting and associated military strikes from Sunday through Tuesday.

Houthi military officials stated that their forces suffered at least 118 fatalities amid ground battles and Saudi air and artillery attacks targeting several provinces, including Taiz, al-Jawf, Marib, and Saada. On the government side, Yemeni officials reported that 36 members of their forces have died in the conflict.

The Houthis also accused Saudi Arabia of launching an airstrike on the strategic port city of Mocha on Tuesday, which they say killed six civilians, including two children. Meanwhile, Saudi authorities raised alert levels in the southern regions of the country after Houthi forces reportedly carried out missile and drone strikes on the Saudi capital, Riyadh.

The fighting reflects ongoing tensions in Yemen’s prolonged civil war, where control of the Red Sea coastline remains a critical military and economic objective due to its strategic position along vital shipping routes. Both sides continue to vie for dominance in the area, intensifying clashes and contributing to significant humanitarian concerns amid the broader conflict.