Houthi forces battle Saudi-backed troops in Yemen's southwest

The Iranian-backed Houthi militia in Yemen fought fierce battles against Saudi-backed forces on Sunday, escalating its push to expand territory in the country's southwest, according to local officials. The ground fighting follows Saturday's Houthi missile and drone attacks on Riyadh and oil facilities, which the group said were retaliation for Saudi airstrikes. If Houthis seize the contested mountainous areas, they could cut off Taiz from Aden and besiege Saudi-backed forces there. The conflict, which reignited in July, has drawn in regional powers. President Trump recently rebuffed a Saudi request for increased military support, while the Houthis have seized Yemen's entire Red Sea coastline, threatening a critical shipping route.