More than 250 Houthis killed in Yemen in the past week
Yemeni government forces backed by the Saudi-led coalition killed and captured hundreds of rebels in Hodeidah in recent days, as the US called on all sides to ensure the flow of food and aid through the province’s port was not affected.
More than 250 rebels including 20 commanders were killed in fighting over the past week, Yemen’s military said.
On Sunday, the coalition and the Yemeni army cut off a Houthi supply route to Hodeidah from Taez province, killing 12 rebels.
“The forces detained during the battles no fewer than 143 members of the Houthi militia,” the military-run 26 September news site reported.
Yemeni fighters backed by the UAE Armed Forces have made rapid gains against the Iran-backed rebels in recent weeks, closing in on Hodeidah city and its port through which the bulk of Yemen’s food and humanitarian aid enters.
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said yesterday that he had spoken to the UAE’s leaders and “made clear our desire to address their security concerns while preserving the free flow of humanitarian aid”.
The UAE Forces are operating in Yemen as part of an Arab coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognised government. The coalition has called for Hodeidah port to be placed under UN control, accusing the Houthis of using it to smuggle in weapons.
Hassan Ali Taher, Governor of Hodeidah, stressed that the battle for liberating Hodeidah has entered a decisive military phase after the success in securing the coastline stretching from Khokha to Duraihimi District and areas adjacent to Hodeidah.
Fighting in Hodeidah has intensified in recent days with hundreds killed.
Yemen’s Defence ministry said the army attacked Houthis in Duraihimi district, with dozens of rebels killed or captured in battles about 5 kilometres from Hodeidah airport.
Fighting in the Bait Al Faqih area to the south-west forced dozens of families to a camp in Al Khawkhah, an area that has been liberated from the Houthis. The Emirates Red Crescent said yesterday that it had provided assistance to the displaced.