Frente de batalha no Iémen: combates contra os rebeldes houthis que atacam a Arábia Saudita | BBC News

Foram registados combates intensos no Iémen entre as forças pró-governo e os rebeldes houthis, cujos recentes ataques à vizinha Arábia Saudita têm atraído grande atenção. Os houthis, apoiados pelo Irão, tomaram o controlo da capital em 2014. Um ano depois, uma coligação liderada pela Arábia Saudita interveio, sem conseguir afastá-los. A BBC reporta a partir das mais recentes frentes de batalha no deserto, às quais teve acesso raro.

• Há relatos de combates intensos entre forças pró-governo e rebeldes houthis.
• Os houthis, apoiados pelo Irão, tomaram a capital iemenita em 2014.
• A coligação liderada pela Arábia Saudita, que interveio em 2015, não conseguiu expulsá-los.

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