ADEN, Yemen, June 9 (Xinhua) -- Fierce clashes erupted between Yemeni government forces and the Houthi group in the country's western province of Hodeidah early Tuesday, a military official said.
The fighting broke out after Houthi fighters launched a large-scale attack on positions held by the Joint Forces, a coalition of pro-government units, in the Hays district south of Hodeidah overlooking the Red Sea, the official told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.
According to the official, the assault triggered hours of intense confrontations during which both sides exchanged medium and heavy weapons fire.
Government forces repelled the attack and foiled an attempted infiltration into their positions, the official said.
There was no immediate comment from the Houthi group on the reported clashes.
Yemen has been gripped by conflict since late 2014 when the Houthis seized control of the capital Sanaa, prompting a Saudi-led coalition to intervene the following year in support of the internationally recognized government.
A UN-mediated truce between the Yemeni government and the Houthis, brokered in April 2022, lasted six months before expiring. Both sides have largely maintained a "de facto ceasefire" since then. ■
