American magazine: The Houthis' local escalation against the Yemeni government has not received sufficient international attention.

The American magazine, Long War Journal , highlighted the escalation of attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthis inside Yemen, targeting the central, resource-rich city of Marib, warning that if these resources fall into the hands of the Houthis, they will generate significant revenue to support the group's terrorist activities.

While the Houthis have garnered international attention this month after their renewed threats against Israel and the US State Department's redesignation of them as a foreign terrorist organization, the group's increasing domestic attacks against the internationally recognized Yemeni government have received less international coverage , the military magazine said in a report translated by Yemen Youth Net.

The report added that, at the beginning of 2025, Houthi military activity shifted away from the Red Sea and Yemen's coastal areas to the front lines in the territories they control, particularly Marib, which saw almost no fighting by the group in the final months of 2024.

In January and February, the number of recorded Houthi-Saleh combat engagements doubled, with violence nearly unparalleled in any month since October 2023. The United Nations noted that these attacks included "shelling, drone attacks, infiltration attempts, and mobilization campaigns."

Furthermore, the Houthis recently demonstrated some of their advanced capabilities in Marib by targeting a US fighter jet and a US drone with surface-to-air missiles. The group claimed to have shot down 15 MQ-9 Reaper drones since October 2023, a number not confirmed by the United States.

A Yemeni military website also reported regular clashes between the Yemeni army and the Houthis in front-line governorates. In recent days, the Yemeni army has faced increased attacks in and around Marib Governorate, a strategic area on the outskirts of Houthi-controlled territory. These clashes capped the Houthis' most active two months in Marib's recent history.

Marib holds particular strategic importance. It is one of the last areas controlled by the internationally recognized government in the north of the country. The Houthis control the western edge of the governorate, while legitimate government forces control the central and eastern regions, including Marib city. Marib witnessed intense fighting before the United Nations reached a ceasefire in April 2022, as the two sides competed for control of the region and its resources.

According to the report, in addition to Marib being a central location, some of Yemen's largest oil and gas resources, refining facilities, and major pipelines are located in the government-controlled part of the governorate.

Before the conflict, Marib “provided nearly all of the country’s domestic fuel production and nearly 90% of its liquefied petroleum gas,” according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data ( ACLED ), a nonprofit crisis tracking organization.

The report warns that if these resources fall into the hands of the Houthis, they will generate significant revenues to support the group's "terrorist activities." A 2021 report by the nonprofit humanitarian reporting organization ACAPS indicates that Houthi access to Marib's resources could provide them with between $1.3 million and $5.5 million in daily revenue.

The magazine said that incorporating these resources into the Houthi economy, which is facing the consequences of the United States' new foreign terrorist organization designation, could help them overcome the upcoming difficulties. This designation enables the United States to take additional measures to criminalize and restrict support for the terrorist group.

The Trump administration also made clear that US aid cannot be provided in a manner that enables the Houthis to exploit it. In addition to designating the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization, the US Treasury Department revoked authorizations granted under the Biden administration for transactions with the Houthis in the areas of refined petroleum products and telecommunications.

The report warns that the Houthis could mitigate these financial repercussions by gaining access to the massive oil and gas facilities in Marib. The group and its Iranian sponsors are also likely to gain significant influence over the Yemeni people by controlling refineries and pipelines.