In Yemen rebels’ advance on Marib left dozens killed as Houthi militants made some critical gains on ground for the government’s last northern stronghold, advancing close to the centre of Marib city despite heavy casualties, military sources said on Sunday.

The rebels seized full control of the northwest Kassara battlefield and made progress on the western front lines despite air attacks by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition that backs Yemen’s government, they said.

Marib and its surrounding oilfields make up the last significant pocket of government-held territory in the north, the rest of which is under rebel control, including the capital Sanaa.

Fierce fighting has killed at least 65 people over the past two days alone, including some 26 loyalist personnel, among them four officers, government sources told AFP news agency.

The Iran-aligned Houthis rarely disclose their own losses.

With the Houthis taking control of the Kassara front, the battle moved to the Al-Mil area, 6km (4 miles) from the centre of Marib and its population centre, they said.

Government sources said the Houthis poured in hundreds of reinforcements in recent days to achieve the gains, resorting to motorcycles after the coalition targeted their military vehicles.

Shahzad Masood Roomi

Shahzad Masood Roomi is founding member and, editor security and geopolitics at GCW. He is IT graduate and has more than 10 years experience of being a  geopolitics and defense affairs analyst. He focuses on IR, geopolitics, strategic studies, maritime security, cybersecurity issues, military aviation, history and geography. His work has published in national and international media outlets.