Marib  — A senior officer in the Yemeni Armed Forces and his personal aide were killed during fierce clashes with Houthi militants in the southern outskirts of Marib province, according to military sources.

The confrontation erupted early Friday near the Harib district, a strategic front that has witnessed repeated escalations in recent months. Government forces engaged in direct combat with Houthi units attempting to advance toward key military positions, resulting in multiple casualties on both sides.

The slain officer, whose identity has not yet been officially released, was reportedly leading a reconnaissance patrol when his unit came under heavy fire. His aide was killed instantly, while other soldiers sustained injuries and were evacuated for treatment.

Military officials described the incident as part of a broader Houthi campaign to destabilize southern Marib and regain territorial footholds lost during previous government offensives. “These attacks reflect the militia’s continued defiance of peace efforts and its reliance on Iranian-supplied weaponry,” one source said.

The Yemeni government has condemned the assault and vowed to respond decisively. Reinforcements have been deployed to the area, and aerial surveillance has intensified to prevent further infiltration.

Marib remains a critical battleground in Yemen’s protracted conflict, home to vital oil infrastructure and a large population of internally displaced civilians. The latest violence underscores the fragile security situation and the urgent need for renewed diplomatic efforts to end the war.