Houthi forces face heavy casualties in Taiz amid rising death tolls in Sanaa

The Yemeni Armed Forces have reported significant losses for Houthi militia forces during the ‘Fajr al-Yaman’ military operation in the Taiz governorate. Fighting concentrated in the Al-Shaqab, Al-Aqroud, and Jabal Habashi fronts resulted in over 25 Houthi casualties in a single repelled attack. Yemeni military sources stated that drone and air support were utilized to target militia reinforcements and weapon depots in several districts, including Sam’ and Masrakh.

In Sanaa and other Houthi-controlled areas, the rising death toll has created a surge in demand for photography studios to design and print large-scale portraits of deceased fighters. These images are used for public funeral ceremonies and military mobilization efforts. Reports indicate that the Houthi group has spent millions of riyals on these services, often prioritizing larger portraits for military commanders and field supervisors. This spending has reportedly drawn criticism from local residents in Sanaa, who expressed dissatisfaction over the allocation of funds toward propaganda and mobilization while facing deteriorating living conditions.