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Will Marib province survive Houthi offensive after fall of al-Jawf?

An offensive on Marib province is looming but may not be imminent as analysts say they think Marib will likely remain in a state of ebb and flow following the battles in al-Jawf and Nihm.
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SANAA, Yemen — Following the fall of al-Jawf province in northern Yemen to the Houthi rebels March 1, attention shifted to the oil-rich province of Marib amid a looming Houthi offensive on the city of Marib. UN envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths felt the danger and paid a rare visit to the city, raising Houthi ire.

Speaking at a press conference following his meeting with Marib Gov. Sultan al-Arada on March 7, Griffiths said Yemen stands at a critical crossroad, adding, “We will either silence the guns and resume the political process or we will slip back into large-scale conflict and suffering that you have already seen here in Marib.”

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