Yemeni army tightens noose around Al Houthi bastion
GOVERNMENT FORCES ENCIRCLE DISTRICT OF BAQIM ON THE NORTHERN SIDE OF SA’ADA
Yemeni government forces, supported by a Saudi-led Arab Coalition, have further advanced into Sa’ada, the northern stronghold of Iran-aligned Al Houthi militants, an army commander said yesterday.
Brigadier Yasser Al Harthi, the chief of the elite 102nd Brigade, told Al Arabiya television that the army is encircling the district of Baqim on the northern side of Sa’ada from all directions. “It is a matter of a few metres and the army will enter the centre of Baqim,” he added.
“Al Houthis are experiencing a state of breakdown amid mobilisation in their ranks, prompting them to send groups of duped child fighters to the fronts.”
In recent weeks the Yemeni government, supported by the Arab coalition, has pursued a multi-front campaign in Yemen, including Sa’ada, Al Houthis’ far northern bastion near the Saudi border.
The Al Houthis have used Sa’ada as a launch pad to fire ballistic missiles across the border into Saudi territory. Last week, Saudi air defences intercepted and destroyed two missiles.
Government loyalists have retaken several strategic positions from Al Houthis west of Baqim after fierce clashes with the militants, according to field sources.
Military forces, backed by the coalition, foiled an infiltration attempt by Al Houthis targeting government-controlled positions west of Baqim, an unnamed military commander told Al Arabiya. In a counterattack, the Yemeni army recaptured hilltops overlooking Baqim.
“[Al Houthi] militias suffered heavy casualties and material losses as a result,” he added.
In September 2014, Al Houthis overran the Yemeni capital Sana’a in a coup against the internationally recognised government. They later swept other Yemeni territory. In March 2015, the Arab coalition initiated a military campaign in Yemen against Al Houthis after the militants advanced on the southern city of Aden.