Yemeni medical officials say clashes between Shiite rebels and local fighters in the besieged city of Taiz have intensified, killing at least 45 on both sides over the past 24 hours.
The city has seen heavy fighting between rebels known as Houthis and local resistance units financed and armed by the Saudi-led coalition that is backing Yemen’s internationally recognized government. The local fighters have been advancing and have taken control of Taiz’s western outskirts.
The medical officials said Friday that most of the 45 killed over the past 24 hours died in airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the media.
The Houthis have besieged Taiz, widely known as Yemen’s cultural center, for over a year now.