Yemen fighting kills more than 270 in 24 hours, sources say

Yemen fighting has killed more than 270 government troops and Iran-backed Houthi fighters over the past day, sources on both sides told AFP on Tuesday. The violence follows a Saudi-backed government counter-offensive to recover territory the Houthis seized last month, and is concentrated in southwest Yemen near the Bab al-Mandab strait.

How many people has Yemen fighting killed in 24 hours?

Sources on both sides gave separate tolls. Government sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said 115 troops died in 24 hours, with dozens wounded in fighting and Houthi missile and drone attacks. Houthi military sources said they lost 160 fighters, mainly in Saudi strikes on areas under their control.

Why has the fighting in Yemen intensified?

Fighting has intensified since the internationally recognized government, which Saudi Arabia backs, launched a counter-offensive. The offensive aims to recover territory that Houthi fighters seized last month.

Where is the Yemen fighting concentrated?

The violence is concentrated in southwest Yemen, around the Bab al-Mandab strait, which is crucial to global energy flows.

What did Houthis say about a family tragedy?

Houthis said a Saudi airstrike killed six members of the same family as fighting intensifies in the impoverished country's resurgent civil war.

The bombing of a village in Hajjah governorate, bordering Saudi Arabia, "caused the deaths of six people from the same family" including the mother, father and four children aged three to eight, the Houthis' health ministry said, according to the group's official press agency.