Scores of Houthi militiamen backed by Iran have been killed as fighting intensifies for the northern Yemeni city of Marib, officials said Wednesday.

Sixty Houthi insurgents “were killed — most of them in airstrikes conducted in the last 24 hours — while 18 pro-government troops were killed and dozens injured in clashes over the past 48 hours,” a government military official said.

The figures were confirmed by other military sources.

The fighting has concentrated in the north and west of Marib province.