Battle of Taiz (2015–present)

Background

Houthi forces backed by troops loyal to Ali Abdullah Saleh, Yemen's influential former president and General People's Congress party head, swept into Taiz on 22 March, capturing the military airport and other key parts of the city. They encountered little resistance, although Houthi gunmen reportedly fired into the air to disperse protests. One demonstrator was killed and five more were injured.

Two days later, five demonstrators were killed by the Houthis and 80 were injured during a protest on 24 March against their presence in the city, while in the city of Al Turba, 80 km to the southwest, three protesters were killed and 12 injured while attacking a Houthi position.

On 11 April 2015, pro-Houthi soldiers and fighters loyal to President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi both reportedly mobilised around Taiz, with the 35th Armoured Brigade deploying on the city streets and anti-Houthi militiamen taking up positions north of the city, amid Saudi-led coalition airstrikes in the area. The 22nd Republican Guards Brigade was hit by an airstrike, as was the village of Al-Dhahirah in the Mawiyah District, the next day.

2015

By 15 April 2015, Yemeni military sources reported that five pro-Saleh military brigades defected throughout the country, with one of them battling Houthis in the Taiz Governorate.

Airstrikes pounded Republican Guard and Houthi military positions in and around Taiz on 17 April 2015. A government official in Taiz told Xinhua that the airstrikes had caused dozens of injuries and virtually destroyed Taiz's infrastructure, as well as the military bases they struck.

Between 17 and 18 April 2015, at least 30 people were killed when Houthi gunmen, supported by the elite Republican Guard, assaulted the headquarters of the 35th Armoured Army Brigade, which had declared its loyalty to Hadi. The dead included 8–16 pro-Hadi and 14–19 Houthi fighters, as well as three civilians. Another report put the number of dead at 85. On the morning of 19 April, 10 more Houthi and four pro-Hadi fighters were killed.

On 22 April 2015, Houthi forces captured the pro-Hadi brigade's military base in Taiz. An air-strike was conducted against the base shortly after its capture. 10 pro-Hadi soldiers were killed in the battle for the base.

Four days later, residents reported that pro-Hadi forces had captured several city districts from the Houthis. Fighting was heaviest around government and security buildings in the city center, with some 20 civilians being killed. The WHO put the death toll at 19 civilians, after the local Al-Thawra hospital was hit.

Fighting broke out in Taiz on 16 May, despite a five-day ceasefire agreed to by the Houthis, military factions, and Saudi-led coalition. At least a dozen civilians and a number of fighters on both the pro-Houthi and pro-Hadi sides were killed.

By 5 August 2015, pro-Hadi forces at Ta'izz had received reinforcements from the south, allowing them to capture 75% of Ta'izz.

On 16 August 2015, only days after a large-scale pro-Hadi offensive in southern Yemen, Pro-Hadi forces, backed by Saudi airstrikes, recaptured most of the city of Ta'izz. However, Houthis managed to reversed loyalist gains, capturing a number of strategic positions of Al-Salih Gardens, along with areas of the Al-Dabab Mountain region after weeks of losses, while Hadi-loyalists attributed the retreat due to lack of military equipment, compared to Houthi forces in the area who enjoyed an advantage in terms of supplies.

14 civilians were killed and 70 wounded on 22 October due to shellings by Houthis and pro-government forces.

Saudi Arabian Colonel Abdullah al-Saihan and Emirati Colonel Mohammed Ali al-Kitbi, who were operating in the Taiz area, were killed in a rocket strike by Houthi militiamen on 14 December 2015. They were some of the senior-most officers of the Saudi-led coalition killed in the war.

2016

BBC reported on February 22, a video footage had emerged showing AQAP fighting in the battle alongside pro-Hadi fighters. The pro-Hadi coalition of Sunni governments have however denied co-operating with the extremists. According to humanitarian organizations, 58 civilians, and 269 others were injured in February by the fighting in Taiz.

On 12 March, pro-government fighters made a significant progress in Taiz, by capturing several districts, and government buildings and ousted many Houthi fighters from the area.

On 17 March, humanitarian aid arrived in the recaptured part of Taiz.

On 19 March, Houthi fighters attacked pro-Hadi fighters in the recaptured part of the city. Yemeni security and medical officials said 35 fighters had been killed in clashes between Shiite rebels and pro-government forces in Taiz. The officials said that Houthis were trying to retake the western part of the city, while the Saudi-led coalition launched more than a dozen airstrikes to prevent Houthis from advancing.

On 22 March, at least 39 Houthis were killed and dozens others injured when Houthis recaptured Taiz from pro-government forces. Over the weekend, at least 55 people, including civilians, were killed in two days of intense fighting in and around the city.

On 24 March, Houthis escalated their offensive by recapturing the lost part of Taiz and some strategical roads that lead to Aden. The Houthis built walls to prevent the Hadi loyalists reinforcements from arriving in the city. Meanwhile, 13 trucks carrying humanitarian aid, arrived in the part of Taiz recaptured by the government.

On 25 March, according to reports, 14 civilians were killed by the Saudi-led coalition inside the Houthi held part of Taiz.

Houthi forces and allied forces loyal to former president Saleh seized control of the center of Al Wazi'iyah District in southwestern Taiz governorate on April 1.

A ceasefire in Taiz was agreed upon by the opposing forces and enforced on 11 April. One violation was reported by residents and local jouranlists who said that the Houthis shelled residential areas and a military base after midnight.

On 12 April, PressTV reported that despite a ceasefire agreement that began in 10 April, Saudi-led forces targeted locations in Taiz and Saudi fighter jets violated the airspace of the city.

On 17 April, an agreement was reached between the Houthis and the loyalists to reinforce the ceasefire on all fronts in the city.

Post-ceasefire and renewed clashes

On 18 April, Houthi militias and forces loyal to ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh continued to bomb residential neighborhoods in the city of Taiz and the opening of the eastern and western ports of the city, despite the signing of a truce agreement on a day before. The official Yemeni news agency quoted a local Yemeni source as saying, "Violent explosions were heard last night on more than one front, while the two eastern exits leading to Sanaa and the western one leading to Al Hudaydah were shut down and sieged by the Houthis." The Media Bureau of the Popular Resistance in Taiz has recorded more than 16 violations committed by the coup militias, which included bombing of military bases, resistance sites, and residential neighbourhoods during the agreed truce timeline.

6 people; including 1 pro-government fighter and 5 Houthi fighters were killed on 9 May during shelling by both Houthis and pro-government forces.

MSF reported on June 3 that a rocket fired on a crowded market had killed 6 people and injured 18. However it was later reported on 6 June that the rocket attack had killed 12 people and left more than 122 injured, a number much higher than the previous reported number. Two rocket attacks on 6 June killed a woman and injured her three children. 45 people including three civilians were killed by the same day in two days of fighting.

On 18 June, the warring parties exchanged 194 prisoners with 118 being Houthi fighters and the other 78 being pro-government fighters. 13 people were killed during clashes on 22 June. A mortar fired by Houthis in central Taiz killed 5 people and wounded 5 others. 2 pro-government fighters were killed and 8 others were injured in fighting in western Taiz according to Abdel Aziz al-Majedi who also claimed that scores of Houthi fighters were killed and injured and number of them were captured.

On 3 July, during the morning hours, Yemeni popular committees and Houthi fighters managed to capture a strategic military site in the Haifan District of the Ta’iz Governorate after fierce clashes against Coalition-backed Hadi forces.

On 8 July, a Saudi-led Coalition airstrike targeted a gathering of Houthi fighters in Mocha town, killing 17 and wounding dozens others.

On July 25, the pro-Hadi militias captured a mountain area near Taiz.

On July 27, Yemeni army and Al-Islah militias took control of the Sarari village, and reportedly found an Iranian training camp there.

A mosque of a Sufi saint was blown up by the Salafist militias on 29 July.

By August 2016 Houthis had captured the Hayfan district, thus capturing southern Taiz completely. This victory put them in a position to cut the Taiz-Lahij road and brought them near Tor al-Baha. The Saudi Arabia-led coalition conducted airstrikes and raids against Houthis in the governorate with clashes between Houthis and pro-government forces reported in Al-Silw district.

On August 9, 2016, 11 civilians, including seven children, were killed by an anti-vehicle mine in Al Wazi'iyah, which is located in the western part of Taizz province.

On 16 August, the Houthi militias and forces loyal to Ali Abdullah Saleh cut off the last supply routes between Taiz and government-controlled Aden.

On 18 August, pro-government troops launched an offensive on Houthis to break their siege around Taiz. Pro-government sources claimed troops had captured several areas east and west of the city.

Houthis cut off the last supply route of pro-Hadi fighters to Aden on 20 August. The pro-government forces claimed to have partially broken the siege on the city later in the day after capturing the Han mountain.

On 22 August, Yemeni military sources claimed 11 Houthi fighters were killed during clashes near western entrance of Taiz while 2 Houthi fighters were killed during an airstrike by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition at the northern entrance of Taiz. At least 15 civilians were reported on 28 August to have been killed when Saudi jets carried out airstrikes on a minibus carrying them.

6 civilians were killed in As Silw district on 12 September when a Katyusha rocket fired by pro-Houthi fighters landed on their home.

On 14 September, pro-government sources stated that 5 Houthi fighters were killed when the Houthis launched an offensive on the mountainous Khabub area.

On 15 September, pro-Houthi forces stated that 27 Houthi fighters and 13 pro-government fighters were killed during clashes around Taiz. It is also reported that 200,000 civilians were caught up in the fighting in Taiz.

On 30 September, a top Houthi commander, Abu Nasr Alkhawlany along with eight of his companions had been reportedly killed by a coalition-staged raid in Alrawd village, located west of Taiz.

On 3 October, at least 10 civilians have been killed in a rocket attack in Beir al-Basha district in Taiz.

On the evening of 25 October, the head of the Houthi’s missile operations, Mohammed Nasser Al-Kaait, has been killed by a Saudi coalition airstrike in the Marran area of the Taiz province.

On 26 October, a senior Houthi military operative, Abu Majed, was killed along with a number of other fighters in west of the city of Taiz.

On 30 October, at least 18 civilians were killed in a Saudi-led coalition air raid in As Silw District.

On 2 November, at least 28 Houthi fighters and six government loyalists were killed during clashes in the Taiz city. Abd Hamoud, the commander of pro-government tribesmen, say that thet are trying to take control of hilly locations that overlook Taiz Al Rahida road that links the city with Aden.

On 13 November, pro-government forces said seven Houthi militants were killed and three others injured in clashes across in a statement. Meanwhile, two civilians were reportedly killed and two others injured when Houthi rebels shelled a residential district in eastern Taiz.

On 15 November, at least 20 Houthi fighters were killed during clashes in Taiz. Pro-government troops backed by allied tribesmen launched a major push to drive Houthi out of Taiz and took control of Saleh district that overlooks the presidential palace. Government forces announced they had liberated the western side of the city and announced partially breaking Houthi siege. A Houthi field commander known as Abu Bassam was reportedly killed in the clashes.

17 November US brokered ceasefire

On 17 November, at least 21 civilians were killed and 76 wounded after the shelling of a busy market in Taiz. Witnesses said the attack on the market took place in an area under Houthi control. It was not immediately clear who fired at the market. On the same day, sources also confirmed that loyalists were able to retake complete control of parts of eastern Taiz. Pro-government fighters were able to regain control of Al-Jehmaliah town. 15 Houthi fighters and 9 pro-government fighters were killed in clashes during the night on 20 November. The ceasefire ended on the next day with the Saudi Arabia-led coalition stating it won't be repeated due to repeated violations. Pro-government fighters also attacked Houthis in western outskirts of the city on the same day, targeting an air defence base.

Continued clashes

On 22 November, eleven Houthi rebels and five government soldiers were killed on the outskirts of Taiz, officials said, when government forces repelled an attack by the Houthis. The attack that began late on the day before targeted al-Dhabab area, which provides pro-Hadi forces with their only access to Taiz, which is surrounded by the rebels. Warplanes from the Saudi-led coalition also took part in defensive operations and repelling the Houthi attack.

On 24 November, at least ten members of the Houthis militia and their allies were killed in clashes with pro-government forces in Taiz. "Yemen’s national army repulsed an attack by Houthi militiamen and their allies on an air-defense camp in western Taiz," Colonel Abdu al-Saghir, leader of the army’s 17th Division, was quoted as saying to Anadolu Agency. He also claim that pro-government forces had not sustained any losses and managed to recapture two hills which is Al-Sawda and Al-Khalwa in the city.

On 26 November, government forces thwarted a Houthi attack on a military post in eastern Taiz, killing 11 Houthis and injuring scores. A pro-government fighter was killed and 11 others were injured in the clashes pro-government forces said in a statement. Meanwhile, two civilians were reportedly killed when Houthis shelled a residential neighborhood in central Taiz. On 28 November, pro-government forces repelled a Houthi attack in al Dhabab area of Taiz. Pro-government forces sent reinforcements on 3 December to secure the Red Sea Coast including Dhubab from Houthis.

Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya stated on 5 December that Saudi-led coalition aircraft bombed boats allegedly loaded with weapons that were being smuggled to Houthi militias off the coast of Mocha and Dhubab, situated in western Taiz. Yemen's Saba News Agency however stated that the boat was actually carrying Pakistani fishermen, 6 of whom were killed in the airstrike. Pro-government forces repelled an attack by Houthis at Taiz on 6 December. They also claimed to have seized several residential positions in eastern Taiz. The coalition carried out several airstrikes targeting Houthi positions on 9 December, destroying some of their weapon caches.

Army commanders claimed on 12 December that 18 Houthi fighters were killed in clashes on various fronts around the city, mainly on its eastern edges. On 22 December, fighting in northern Taiz city left 14 Houthis and eight pro-government fighters dead per military sources.

2017

On 1 January, four civilians, including three children, were killed when Houthis bomb targeted residential areas in Taiz city, a local official and medical sources said.

On 18 January, Houthi fired mortar shells landed on Al-Nour district, west of Taiz, which killed at least nine civilians and wounded eight.

Operation Golden Arrow

On 5 January, fighting erupted when Houthis launched a fresh offensive to take control of several locations on the western and eastern edges of the city. At least 20 people including a primary school student were killed and dozens injured in two days of fighting, and army commanders said. Neither two sides make gains during the fighting. The Houthis and their allies also launched an assault near the Bab-el-Mandeb strait, with both pro-Houthi and pro-government sources stating that they killed a number of soldiers. Meanwhile, the Saudi-led coalition conducted airstikes against sites affiliated with them in southwestern Taiz, with local sources reporting destruction of several military vehicles belonging to them as well as at least one rocket platform. Since then, at least 55 Houthis have been killed in fighting and 72 others wounded, military and medical sources said.

On 8 January, at least 68 fighters have been killed in two days of fierce battles between Yemeni forces and Houthi rebels near the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait, military officials said. Clashes since 7 January have also killed 13 loyalists forces, including an army general, Brigadier-General Abdul Aziz al-Majidi, a loyalist commander. a senior army commander told Gulf News that pro-government forces completely liberated the Dhubab District as it pushed ahead towards other nearby regions.

On 9 January, Abdo Abdullah Majili, a spokesman for the Yemeni army, said that government troops had flushed out Houthis from Al Mansoura mountain in Al Waziya.

On 10 January, pro-government forces claimed they have recaptured Al-Owaid and Al-Nuba mountains in Maqbanah District from the Houthis which is considered strategically important as they both overlook the main road linking the provinces of Taiz and Hudeida.

On 15 January, pro-government forces are “on the verge” of taking control of Al Jadeed region, killing dozens of Houthis in heavy clashes during the process. A pro-Hadi commander also said that only 16 percent of Taiz province is still under Houthi control.

On 21 and 22 January, at least 52 Houthi fighters and its allied troops were killed in Saudi coalition airstrikes in Mocha. Houthis said they have killed 14 pro-government soldiers.

On 23 January, pro-government forces claimed to have captured the key port town of Mocha from Houthi fighters.

On 24 January, at least 28 Houthis and 12 pro-government fighters have been killed in fighting in the past 24 hours, military and medical sources said. Clashes continued on the day on the southern and eastern outskirts of Mocha town. A military official also said that Houthis are still in control of the centre of the town.

On 1 February, military and medical sources said 25 Houthi fighters and six pro-government soldiers were killed during clashes in Mocha.

On 7 February, Emirates News Agency reported that Yemeni pro-government forces backed by Saudi coalition troops had secured Mocha. This report was contradicted by other sources.

On 8 February, twenty-four Houthis and eight loyalist troops were killed in fighting in Mocha.

On 10 February, a loyalist military source confirmed that pro-government forces were in "full control" of Mocha town.

On 22 February, 18 pro-government soldiers and 21 Houthis fighters were killed in clashes on the outskirts of Mocha town. Another at least 50 fighters from the both sides were also wounded in the fighting, according to a military source.

On 23 February, seven pro-government troops and 16 Houthis were killed during fighting around Mocha. Twelve soldiers and 28 Houthis were also wounded. Pro-government sources said that government forces are now battling the Houthi forces on the edges of Khalid Bin Walid military camp, east of Mocha town.

Destruction of heritage

On 29 July 2016, Salafist gunmen blew up a 16th-century mosque of Sheikh Abdulhadi al-Sudi housing the shrine of a revered Sufi Sheikh.