Houthi fighters engaged in fierce clashes with Yemeni government forces west of Taiz province on Thursday, attempting to cut the road linking Taiz to al-Makha to sever the government's strategic supply route. More than 18 Houthi fighters and 13 government forces were reportedly killed in the fighting. The Iran-backed Houthis are launching a broad offensive along front lines on the western Red Sea coast, aiming to gain a foothold in the key maritime route.