Dubai: Yemeni forces backed by a Saudi-led coalition recaptured several strategic sites from Al Houthi rebels in the oil-rich Marib province, a key battleground on the way to the capital Sana’a.
Government forces backed by tribal fighters, intensive airstrikes and mortar shelling seized two dams on Monday from the rebels and allied forces loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, Yemeni Brigadier General Thiab Al Muradi said by phone. They advanced on other fronts as well, and took the hill of Humat Al Masariah, Al Muradi said.
Having lost the dams, Al Houthi forces are now unable to circle around and attack pro-government fighters from the southeast of Marib, according to Ahmad Al Anjaf, a tribal leader fighting Al Houthis. He said by phone that control of Humat Al Masariah will help cut off rebel supply routes from Serwah and other areas.
Gaining full control of Marib is a key goal for the Saudi-led coalition as it moves north towards the capital after seizing the southern port city of Aden in July. The coalition began bombing Yemen, adjacent to some of the world’s busiest oil shipping routes, in March in an attempt to restore President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi to power after Al Houthis captured Sana’a, prompting him to flee. The Marib Dam blocks the Wadi Adhanah in a valley in the Balaq Hills. It’s close to the ruins of the Great Dam of Marib, which is one of the grandest engineering marvels of the ancient world and was damaged in airstrikes in June condemned by Unesco.
The United Nations says more than 2,200 civilians have been killed and 4,700 injured in violence since March.
Meanwhile, the UAE reiterated its support for the government of President Hadi and condemned the violations committed by Al Houthi militias and their backers against civilians and Yemeni people.
Alia Al Shehhi, the First Secretary at the UAE’s mission in Geneva, made these remarks on Monday while addressing an event organised by Yemen’s permanent mission in Geneva on the sidelines of the 30th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC).
Alia added that peace in Yemen will not be achieved without the implementation of the Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2216, and without forcing the militias and those who support them to comply with international legitimacy norms and by rallying the international community to provide support to the legitimate President and his government.
- with inputs from WAM
