Al Mukalla: Yemeni government forces backed by Saudi-led coalition fighter jets on Wednesday night stormed parts of a major military camp, north of the Red Sea town of Mokha, and are now engaging in heavy battles with Iran-backed Al Houthis in other parts of the camps, military officers told Gulf News on Thursday.
Major Mohsen Khasrouf, the chief of Yemen’s Armed Forces Moral Guidance Department, said that government forces raided the western gate of the Khalid Bin Al Waleed military camp, amid heavy air strikes by the coalition’s fighter jets.
“Our forces are on the verge of completely liberating the camp from Al Houthi militia. The capture of Al Nar mountain has prepared the way for government forces to advances into the Khalid Bin Al Waleed military camp.” Major Khasrouf, who is also a veteran military analyst, said.
On Wednesday, army commanders loyal to the internationally-recognised government announced they ousted Al Houthis from two strategic mountains that overlook large swathes of land in Taiz, including the camp.
If government forces take full control of the camp, they would be one step closer to seizing the Taiz-Hodeidah road which means cutting Al Houthis off from their major supply route in the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah from where they smuggle weapons to rebels in Taiz.
Hundreds of government forces with the help of military advisers from the Saudi-led coalition in January launched a massive offensive along the country’s western coastline to deprive Al Houthis of major seaports where they receive arms from Iran.
Government forces have already captured major military posts and towns on the Red Sea, including Mokha, breaking months of military stalemate.
Top military officers say the offensive will come to an end when government forces take control of Hodeidah, the last major city under the control of the rebels.
Also in Taiz, the Ministry of Defence said that two Al Houthi field commanders were killed in continuing clashes with government forces north of Mokha.
Meanwhile in Nehim, just outside of Al Houthi-controlled Sana’a, heavy clashes erupted in the last couple of days as government forces traverse tough topography where thousands of landmines have been planted by rebels.
Similar heavy clashes were also reported on Thursday in Serwah district, the last Al Houthi stronghold in the province of Marib.
Coalition fighter jets attacked rebel military sites in Sana’a on Wednesday and Thursday, triggering loud explosions in different areas, according to residents.
