DUBAI: Yemen’s economy lost nearly $50bn during the four-year war against the Iranian-backed Houthis, national news agency SPA reported on Sunday. The losses do not include the costs of direct and indirect damages from the destruction of infrastructure, Yemen’s Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Najib Al-Awaj said. The volume of economic activity declined in the last five years and growth was negative in all sectors, Al-Awaj added. Meanwhile, eight Houthi militants died in clashes with national resistance forces in Al-Bayda province. The resistance forces stopped the militants from infiltrating an area on Al-Sawma directorate, a source added.