Sana’a: Yemeni army commanders have promised to restore order in the old city of Sa’ada within the next 24 hours, as at least 15 Al Houthi rebels were killed and more than 30 of them surrendered to the army, according to independent sources and military officials.
The army stormed the old city early Monday and took control of the neighbourhoods and houses from where the rebels fired upon soldiers. The soldiers have been closing in on the city since the beginning of the war in August 10.
A few rebels remain in the houses, maintaining resistance against the army, sources in the city told Gulf News.
Sporadic clashes continued Tuesday in the streets of the city where dozens of dead bodies from both sides lined the streets, the sources said.
Residents have been eagerly waiting for life to be restored to normal.
Meanwhile, tribal sources from the neighbouring province of Al Jawf said the local tribesmen with army support have pushed rebels out of their areas, after they fled Sa’ada.
The Dahm tribe, led by Shaikh Hadi Bin Ghalia, and Shaikh Khaled Bin Kharsan, seized two cars, ammunition and weapons and 40 anti-tanks mines after they blockaded the fugitive rebels and forced them to escape from their areas, the sources said.
Dahm tribesmen also found a big quantity of women’s clothing which were used by the rebels to disguise themselves, the sources added.
Al Houthi rebels said Tuesday that Saudi air strikes and artillery bombardments continued on their positions in the western frontline of Al Malahaid, according to statements sent through e-mail.
The statement counted 18 air raids on Al Dhaher, Jabal Al Dood, Majda’a, Al Malahaid and Al Husama.
