Al Mukalla: Troops loyal to the internationally-recognised president of Yemen, backed by tense air strikes by Saudi-led coalition fighter jets, stormed a new district in the central Baydha, building on fresh gains on the current offensive in the province, the Defence Ministry said on Sunday.
Loyalists have announced taking control of Al Markouz mountain, Al Houthi’s last territory in Natea district and rolling into a new area in Al Malajem district after killing and capturing dozens of militants.
After months of military stalemate in Baydha, government forces and military advisers from the coalition thrust into Baydha in December after expelling Al Houthis from Bayhan town, their last strip of territory in the neighboring province of Shabwa and a major smuggling route.
Government forces recent incursion into Bayhda have shored up local tribesmen who have been battling the Iran-backed militants in some parts of the province.
The Defence Ministry said that the coalition’s fighter jets carried out dozens of air sorties, hitting Al Houthi gatherings and military equipment.
Meanwhile, in the northern province of Sa’ada, Al Houthi’s heavily-fortified bastion, government forces seized control of Bouqa market, parts of Al Ouleb mountain and large lands in Bouqa district north of Saada.
Quoting local army commanders, the Defence Ministry said that government forces attacked Al Houthi militants in Bouqa, forcing them to flee.
They left behind a stash of arms, including AT-3 Sagger, anti-tank guided missiles and ammunition.
By expelling Al Houthis from Bouqa and parts of the neighboring Jawf province, government forces have effectively pushed deeper into Sa’ada and cut the militants’ main supply lines in and out of the province.
Military experts in Yemen believe that government forces will face stiffer fighting as they approach Sa’ada’s capital, where Al Houthi leader, Abdul Malik Al Houthi is thought to be hiding.
Yemen’s army said that the coalition’s fighter jets struck Al Houthi’s military reinforcements, including dozens of militants and armed vehicles, coming from Ketaf district and heading to Bouqa battlefield. Fierce clashes were reported on Sana’a Nehim, Jawf, Marib’s Serwah district.
The Saudi-led coalition launched a massive aerial bombardment in March 2015 to back government forces in their fighting to stop Al Houthi’s rapid military expansion.
Critical air support and logistics from the coalition have turned the tide of the war in favour of government forces which are now in control of more than 80 per cent of Yemeni territories.
