SANAA, 24 September 2021, (TON): Flighting flared up this week between Yemen’s Houthi rebels and pro-government forces in the country’s southern province of Shabwa, killing 35 from both sides, tribal leaders and security officials said.

Clashes are now in their third day in several districts of the government-controlled province, including Bayhan and Usaylan, said the officials and the elders. Dozens have been wounded on both sides, they said.

The official said ”in Shabwa, government forces regained control of areas that Houthis had captured earlier this week.”

The rebel offensive on Shabwa is believed to be aimed at disrupting a key line of communication through which pro-government reinforcements are sent to the central province of Marib, where fighting has been raging for several months.

The rebels have accelerated their push to take Marib in recent months, while escalating cross-border attacks on Saudi Arabia.

Meanwhile, the Saudi-led coalition has launched dozens of airstrikes on towns in Marib, including Rahbah, Sirwah and Madghel, to back pro-government ground forces,