The Saudi-led coalition fighting Shiite rebels in Yemen doubled its near-daily airstrikes in the central province of Marib and the adjacent border area of Jawf on Monday, paving the way for allies on the ground to push north toward Shiite rebel strongholds, military and security officials said.
There was no immediate word on casualties from the airstrikes.
Marib’s pro-government forces have also received major reinforcements, including hundreds of Saudi-trained troops, ambulances and armored personnel carriers manned by Saudi and Emirati soldiers, the pro-government officials said.
The forces aim to take Saada, the main northern stronghold of the rebels, known as Houthis, they added.
Yemen’s conflict pits the Iran-allied Houthis and troops loyal to the former president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, against an array of forces including southern separatists, local and tribal militias, Sunni Islamic militants as well as troops loyal to President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi. Backed by coalition airstrikes, pro-government forces have recently pushed the Houthis out of several key areas in the south.
Meanwhile, in Yemen’s third largest city, Taiz, the latest round of shelling by Houthi and pro-Saleh forces killed 14 civilians, including seven women and two children, independent security and medical officials and witnesses said.
All officials requested anonymity because they are not authorized to brief reporters, while the witnesses feared reprisals.
