Yemen frontline: fighting the Houthi rebels targeting Saudi Arabia | BBC News

Heavy fighting has been reported in Yemen as pro-government forces face the Houthi rebels, whose recent attacks on neighbouring Saudi Arabia have drawn wide attention. The Houthis, who are backed by Iran, took control of the capital in 2014, and a Saudi-led coalition intervened a year later without dislodging them. The BBC reports from the latest desert battlefields, which it was given rare access to. The report places the fighting within the wider conflicts in the Middle East, including Houthi attacks in the Red Sea that have affected global shipping.

• Pro-government forces are fighting the Houthi rebels in Yemen
• Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia have increased
• The BBC was given rare access to the desert battlefields
• The Houthis are funded by Iran, which is Saudi Arabia's regional rival

Heavy fighting has been taking place in Yemen, as pro-government forces take on the country’s Houthi rebels, whose recent attacks on neighbouring Saudi Arabia have seized the world’s attention. Yemen’s long civil war has become impossible to ignore, as the latest attacks by the Houthis, who are funded by Iran, play into the wider conflicts in the Middle East. The Houthis took control of Yemen’s capital in 2014, ousting the country’s internationally-recognised government. A year later a Saudi-led coalition of Arab states intervened, trying to dislodge the Houthis. Despite years of devastating air strikes, that hasn't worked. Now Yemen's Houthi fighters – already a threat to global shipping with attacks in the Red Sea – are an increasing threat to Saudi Arabia. And they provide leverage for their backers in Iran, Saudi's regional rival. The BBC has been given rare access to Yemen and the latest desert battlefields. Jane Hill presents BBC News at Ten reporting by Orla Guerin. Subscribe to our channel here: https://bbc.in/bbcnews For the latest news download the BBC News app or visit BBC.com/news #BBCNews