Escalation of Airstrikes by Saudi-led Arab Coalition in Yemen

Residents of Yemeni cities reported on Tuesday that airstrikes by the Saudi-led Arab coalition against Houthi positions have intensified. After several weeks of noticeable reduction in airstrikes and military clashes, the escalation appears to be linked to recent diplomatic tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Reuters reports that Saudi airstrikes targeted military sites of the Houthis in Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, the port city of Hodeidah, and the southwestern city of Taiz, which both sides are fighting over. Residents say that a blind shelter and the Yemeni Chamber of Commerce building were also hit, but there were no casualties from these attacks. On the front lines, where a ceasefire had been in place since December 15 alongside UN-mediated negotiations, artillery and missile exchanges resumed on Tuesday. Residents of Marib city also reported that Houthi forces attacked the city with Katyusha rockets. This marks the first Houthi attack on Marib since summer 2015 when forces loyal to the former Yemeni government and the Arab coalition retook the city. Houthi forces have attacked positions of government-affiliated militants in Hajjah province in the northwest and Lahij province in southern Yemen, reclaiming areas previously captured by the Arab coalition. Doctors in Hajjah province reported that at least 20 Houthi militants were killed in these battles. Reuters adds that the Saudi government announced the end of a temporary ceasefire on Saturday, which had significantly reduced hostilities despite repeated violations in recent weeks. On the same day, Saudi Arabia executed a Shiite cleric opposing the government on charges of 'terrorism.' In protest of this action, a group attacked the Saudi embassy in Tehran. These events have severely strained diplomatic relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia. Since the Saudi-led military intervention began in March 2015, approximately 6,000 people have been killed in Yemen, half of whom are civilians. The ongoing war, poverty, and disease outbreaks have exacerbated the situation in the poorest country in the region. Meanwhile, a government source reported that on Tuesday, several senior officials, including the governors of Aden and Lahij, survived a suicide bombing, but three of their guards were killed during the ensuing clashes. Forces loyal to the Yemeni government and their supporters in the Saudi-led military coalition have dedicated most of their strength to retaking Sanaa from Houthi forces, resulting in a security vacuum in other cities, including the port city of Aden. On December 6, the former governor of Aden was killed by a bomb planted in a vehicle. The recently established branch of the 'Islamic State' in Yemen claimed responsibility for that attack. According to government sources in Aden, police forces declared martial law in the city on Tuesday and arrested at least 70 suspects of collaborating with the 'Islamic State.' Forces loyal to the Yemeni government and their supporters in the Saudi-led military coalition retook Aden from Houthi forces in the summer, but extremist Islamist groups and other armed factions remain active in the city, and the government has been unable to stabilize its position.