Riyadh: In their continuing efforts to foil all the attempts of infiltration by Al Houthi rebels, Saudi Arabian armed forces have started erecting barbed wires along a vast stretch of the kingdom’s southern borders.
Speaking to Gulf News, Saudi military sources said that the engineering unit under the Army is currently engaged in setting up of barbed wires at locations that are mainly used by the rebels for infiltration.
“Barbed wires are being installed at the entrances of both the valleys and rugged mountainous regions along the border with Yemen. The main purpose of this is to deter infiltrators and armed rebels, who are attempting to enter Saudi territories, mainly under the cover of darkness,” the sources said.
“We are also making use of advanced technologies and equipment including thermal cameras to monitor infiltration during night,” they said.
King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz has ordered construction of some 10,000 housing units for the evacuated people, who are now living at temporary shelters.
Saudi denies Al Houthi seized border post
Saudi military sources have denied claims by Yemen's Al Houthi rebels, that a Saudi border post was seized although they admited to heavy fighting in the area, according to Saudi media reports on Saturday.
The reports say that a Saudi air and ground offensive the past two days at the Al Jabri post on the Yemeni border has successfully curbed rebel incursions into Saudi.
However, Al Houthi rebels said in an internet statement that they had captured the Al Jabri military post and seized weapons, intelligence, armoured vehicles and surveillance equipment.
Speaking to the press, rebel spokesman Mohammed Abdul Salam, said the post was under Al Houthi control since Wednesday.
"The Saudis have tried, without any success, to take back Al Jabri, and bombed it on Thursday night," Abdessalam said.
However, an unnamed official speaking to the Asharq Al Awsat newspaper, was quoted as saying, "Al Houthi cannot get close to the Saudi border without either being killed or surrendering."
Al Hayat newspaper reports that Al Houthi rebels had been using women as human shields and planting booby trapped explosives inside of them.
With input from agencies
