Yemen army gains ground in Houthi stronghold

By Mohamed al-Samei

SANAA (AA) - Government forces have reportedly made military gains in Yemen's northern Saada province, the main stronghold of the rebel Houthi group.

The army-linked september.net portal said government forces captured several towns in the province after clashes with the rebels.

Several Houthi rebels were killed and injured in the violence, the website said.

No information, however, was given about casualties among government forces.

There was no comment from the Houthi group on the claim.

Yemen has been wracked by violence since 2014, when the Shia Houthi group overran much of the country and the crisis escalated in 2015 when the Saudi-led coalition launched a devastating air campaign aimed at rolling back Houthi gains.

Saudi Arabia and Sunni allies accuse the Houthis of acting as a proxy force for Shia Iran.

Tens of thousands of people, including civilians, are believed to have been killed and the UN estimates that around 14 million Yemenis are at risk of famine.