Yemen forces advance on Saada and Jawf

Government troops also seize control of pockets of lands on Ham mountain

The Yemeni Ministry of Defence has said an Al Houthi field military commander was killed in clashes with government forces in the northern province of Saada as other government forces seized control of pockets of lands in Jawf province.

The minister’s official news site, 26sepnews.net, said Hamza Al Medani, Al Houthi military commander responsible for Alab front in Saada, and a number of fighters were killed when they tried to sneak up on government and Saudiled coalition forces protecting the Alab border crossing with Saudi Arabia.

A fierce battle erupted when Al Houthis began attacking government forces. The militants failed to take control of the area and were forced to retreat to their positions on Alab mountain.

On Al Bouqa front, east of Saada province, government forces, supported by fighter jets from the Saudi-led coalition, stormed several caves on Al Bouqa mountains and seized arms and ammunition. The assault began on Tuesday when government forces broke through Al Houthi lines on the mountain and managed to enter the caves where Al Houthi fighters hide arms.

Meanwhile in the northern province, government forces announced on Tuesday they had seized control of pockets of lands on Ham mountain in the district of Al Metoun after fierce clashes with Al Houthi fighters.

Government forces also battled Al Houthis in Al Masloub district amid intensive air strikes by coalition fighter jets. On Nehim’s battlefield, just outside of Al Houthi-held Sana’a, Yemen army has sent more military equipment and troops to Nehim’s rugged mountain in an attempt to break months of military stalemate.