Yemen Houthi Rebels "Control Most of Marib City Center"...Concerns Over Government Forces Collapse

12 out of 14 City Districts Seized... Government Forces Surrounded in Downtown
Biden Administration's Conciliatory Policy Leads to Frontline Expansion... Criticism Continues

[Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] As the Houthi rebels in Yemen have seized control of most of Marib, the northern central city known as the last stronghold of the Yemeni government, putting the Yemeni government forces on the brink of collapse, criticism is pouring in against the Biden administration's Middle East policy. Previously, the Biden administration emphasized humanitarianism and took conciliatory measures toward the Houthi rebels, initiating ceasefire proposals. However, the Houthis, seeing this as an opportunity for victory, intensified their offensive on Marib, resulting in more civilian casualties.

According to foreign media including the Associated Press on the 3rd (local time), Hussein Al-Ezzi, the Houthi rebels' diplomatic spokesperson, stated, "Our forces currently control most of Marib," adding, "We have occupied 12 out of 14 districts in Marib and are engaged in battles in the remaining two districts." The Houthis currently control over 80% of Yemen's territory, while the Yemeni government forces and the Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia are isolated in the Marib area, the largest oil-producing region in the north. If Marib, the government's last stronghold, falls, it is estimated that the Yemeni government forces will effectively collapse.

The Houthis are reportedly intensifying their airstrikes on Marib. Ahmed bin Mubarak, Yemen's Minister of Foreign Affairs, stated, "Despite repeated international calls to halt attacks on Marib, the Houthis have continued their offensive and launched more than 15 ballistic missiles into the city center of Marib."

The International Organization for Migration (IOM), under the United Nations (UN), also warned that Yemeni refugees are facing a humanitarian crisis due to the Houthi attacks on Marib. In a statement, the IOM said, "More than one million displaced persons from across Yemen reside in Marib," expressing concern that "continued Houthi attacks will exacerbate the suffering of the refugees."

Consequently, criticism of the Biden administration's Middle East policy is growing. Previously, the Biden administration took humanitarian measures in Yemen by halting military support to the Saudi Arabia-Yemeni government coalition forces and removing the Houthis from the terrorist organization list, among other conciliatory actions. However, CNN pointed out that the Houthis viewed this as an opportunity to capture Marib and have continued their fierce offensive, resulting in increased civilian casualties.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.