Resistance forces make progress in Jawf

Al Mukalla: Yemeni government forces and resistance fighters in the northern province of Jawf have laid siege on the first strategic region controlled by Al Houthis after taking control of many hilly positions, major general Amen Al Wa’aili, the commander of the 6th Military Region told Gulf News on Monday.

“Our forces have driven Al Houthis out of the mountains of Al Marazeg that overlooks the region of Al Labenat. We have killed many of their fighters and arrested three.”

Al Labenat is seen as the gateway to Al Hazem, the capital of Jawf.

Air strikes by Saudi-led military coalition have aided government forces in the recently launched military operation to liberate Jawf.

Al Wa’aili, who had just returned from the battlefield, described the ongoing clashes as “fierce”, but he said his fighters were determined to continue.

“Many of my men lost their houses and relatives after Al Houthis captured Jawf. We opened military camps in the province of Marib to train anyone who wants to fight with us,”

Confirming media reports over foreign military support to Al Houthis, Al Wa’aili said the group was trained by the Lebanese militant group, Hezbollah. He said he learned this after capturing several militants and interrogating them.

“They admitted that they received some military training in the capital of Jawf from some Hezbollah members.”

Al Houthis still control the provinces of Amran and Saada. Al Wa’aili promised they too would soon be liberated after victory in Jawf.

“I am in touch with locals there who are willing to fight against Al Houthis, but they are waiting for our command,” he said.

Yemeni resistance forces, aided by a Saudi-led Arab coalition, have battled Iran-backed Al Houthi militants in Yemen since March, after they overran the capital Sana’a and advanced south, forcing the government to flee to Saudi Arabia.

Since then, coalition forces have made sweeping gains, liberating several provinces from Al Houthi grip and President Abd Rabbo Hadi Mansour has returned to Aden.

Al Wa’aili said that coalition warplanes have “significantly” helped his soldiers in the Jawf operation.

“The air strikes are hittingthe exact areas and vehicles that we ask them to destroy.”