Yemen’s army claims over 1,500 Houthi casualties, attacks Sanaa

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, October 4, 2026

Yemen’s internationally recognized government forces launched nearly 500 military operations in the past day, targeting key Houthi positions in Sanaa, Taiz, and Samea, resulting in significant Houthi casualties and halted advances. The intensified conflict has caused civilian harm, including deaths and mass displacement, while the closure of the vital al-Houban crossing has further restricted movement between rival territories.

Heavy explosions were reported in Sanaa, the capital controlled by the Houthi movement in Yemen, amid intensified military operations by Yemen’s internationally recognized government forces. According to Colonel Majed Abdullah al-Nazili, the military spokesman for the government forces, operations have targeted vital military sites in the city, underscoring their capability to carry out strategic strikes against the Houthis.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, al-Nazili said nearly 500 military operations were conducted in the past 24 hours across Yemen, resulting in approximately 1,540 Houthi casualties through either deaths or injuries. He identified the governorate of Taiz as the primary area where these operations took place, noting that the government forces were successful in halting a Houthi advance there. The spokesman did not provide any details on losses or injuries among government troops.

Taiz city, held by government forces, has emerged as a central battleground in the renewed conflict, with reports of sustained and escalating clashes. Maha Ali, reporting from Taiz, described fierce fighting on the western outskirts of the city, where the Houthis have deployed heavy artillery fire. The ongoing shelling has led to civilian harm, including the death of an infant in the Dhubab residential area from shrapnel wounds.

Further north, in the Samea district, government and Houthi forces continue to engage in intense combat amid difficult mountainous terrain. Sources in the area told Ali that a significant exodus of residents has occurred, marking one of the largest displacements in over ten years.

In addition to ground operations, government forces have employed missile, drone, and artillery strikes against Houthi targets across multiple locations, aiming to weaken Houthi positions throughout the country.

The conflict has also affected critical infrastructure and transportation routes. Ammar al-Sami’i, the government’s media official, confirmed that the al-Houban crossing in Taiz governorate was closed again on Saturday. The crossing—one of the most important links between government- and Houthi-controlled areas—had been shut for nine years before reopening in 2024 to allow civilian passage on humanitarian grounds. Its closure reflects heightened tensions and restricts movement between the rival territories amid ongoing hostilities.

The situation in Yemen remains volatile as fighting escalates along several fronts, particularly around Taiz and Samea, raising concerns about an increase in civilian casualties and displacement as the government forces intensify their offensive against Houthi forces.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.