47 killed in renewed battles for Yemen’s Marib‏‏

The fighting over Marib comes after the failure of a diplomatic push by the UN, the US, and regional nations to secure a ceasefire in Yemen

Renewed battles between government forces and Houthi rebels over the strategic city of Marib in northern Yemen have left 47 dead, including 16 pro-government forces, military sources said on Saturday.

The Iran-backed rebels are seeking to seize control of Marib and its surrounding oil fields, the Yemeni government's last stronghold in the north.

Diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire in Yemen had intensified, in parallel with the fierce campaign for control of Marib, which has left thousands dead on both sides.

But with no agreement in sight, the fighting has flared again after a lull over the past month.

Sources with the internationally recognized government told AFP that 16 soldiers from their ranks were killed, including six officers, on Saturday. The insurgents rarely report their casualties.

The Houthis "launched attacks on various fronts, in an attempt to advance, but they were mostly repelled," one of the officials told AFP.

The sources said that warplanes from the Saudi-led coalition, which supports the government, launched airstrikes on rebel sites.

The renewed fighting over Marib comes after the failure of a diplomatic push by the United Nations, the United States, and regional nations to secure a ceasefire in Yemen.

On Tuesday, the outgoing UN Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths told the Security Council his own efforts over the past three years to end the war have been "in vain."

"It is with deep regret that I report today that the parties have not overcome their differences," he said.