HOUTHI MISSILE ATTACK HURTS HOPE OF POLITICAL SOLUTION TO END CIVIL WAR
▶ Residents of Marib shaken by ‘tremendous explosions’ hours after Houthis agree to attend peace talks
The Arab Coalition intercepted four ballistic missiles launched by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels at the western city of Marib in Yemen, the government’s armed forces said yesterday.
“Tremendous explosions repeated four times between nine and 10pm last night,” spokesman Yaqoob Al Barakani told The National.
“They were Houthi ballistic missiles fired from rural areas in northern Sanaa to target military bases including the Sahen Al Jen base and the headquarter of the 3rd military base in Marib – but they were all intercepted.”
The attack on residential areas on Saturday came hours after Yemen’s warring parties agreed to attend peace talks in Sweden to discuss the conflict and deteriorating humanitarian situation.
The Saudi-backed government and the Houthi rebels have shown a “renewed commitment” to work on a political solution to end the war that has driven millions to the brink of famine, UN envoy Martin Griffiths told the Security Council on Friday.
But soon after, a series of blasts tore through the night.
“The explosions were really huge, it was the first time I heard such explosions,” Mr Al Barakani said. He said the intensity of the attack spread fear among the civilian population.
“They weren’t expecting the Houthis to keep practising such criminal actions while the international community is talking about a ceasefire and peace negotiations,” he said.
Col Abulmajeed Al Azraki said the Houthi group believed extending the violence and war would help them to stay in power in the north. “They are a group based on terror and blood,” Col Al Azraki said.
“They believe that fighting is the only factor that prolongs their control over the northern provinces and any solution based on peace will melt their power and put an end to them forever.”
On Wednesday, the Iranbacked rebels fired a ballistic missile at Hodeidah port, only hours after pro-government forces announced a halt in an offensive on the harbour city.
Marib resident and activist Mubarak Al Tamimi said the escalation of violence in his city and Hodeidah was further proof of the Houthi group’s unwillingness to seek peace.
“I have no hope that the Houthis will put down their arms and come back to the negotiating table,” Mr Al Tamimi told The National. “Peace is not a choice for them. They are proxies for Iran. They don’t have their independent decision, so what Iran says will be done.”
On Saturday, pro-government forces liberated several areas in the southern governorate of Taez, including Makbana and Jabal Habashi, a Yemeni army officer said.
“The army launched a big offensive and advanced in the district of Makbana, liberating military sites amid fierce confrontations and killing more than 13 Houthi fighters,” Capt Mohammed Al Nakeeb said.
North of Taez, Hodeidah residents said Houthi fighters went on round-ups, taking civilians prisoner in the city centre.
“The Houthis stormed the residences of those who refused to take part in the fight along with them, accusing them of being sleeper cells working for the joint forces and the coalition,” a resident said.