Cairo: Yemen’s government forces, backed by an Arab military coalition, have retaken full control of a strategic area in the north-western province of Hajjah from Iran-allied Al Houthi militia, military sources said Sunday.
The recapture of the Nahm Triangle and surrounding villages came after clashes with Al Houthi militiamen, dozens of whom were killed in the battle, the sources added.
The Nahm Triangle is strategically important as it served as a military supply route for Al Houthis from the far northern province of Saada and the province of Amran, north-west of the rebel-held capital of Sana’a.
Saada is the stronghold of Al Houthis, who have plunged Yemen into a devastating war since they deposed the internationally recognised government and overran Sana’a in late 2014.
At least 40 Al Houthi militiamen were killed in clashes with government forces in the district of Baqim in the northern part of Saada, a military commander said Sunday, according to Al Arabiya.
The fighting comes amid a reported calm of almost one week in the rebel-held port city of Hodeida, following a temporary cessation of a major offensive by the government forces and the coalition.
The halt in fighting was declared by the Yemeni army on Wednesday for humanitarian reasons to allow medical evacuations and civilian departures from the city amid international efforts to revive talks to end Yemen’s war.
On Friday, UN special envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths told the United Nations Security Council he had got “firm reassurances” from the government and the rebels that they will attend talks planned in Sweden.
Last September, UN-sponsored indirect talks between both sides crumbled after the militia delegation failed to turn up.
Al Houthis are taking advantage of the lull in fighting in Hodeida to set up more barricades and militarise parts still under their control in the western city in order to hamper an expected attack by government forces to fully liberate the city and its crucial port.
The pro-government force known as the Giants Brigade said Al Houthis have turned residential and state buildings in the city into military sites and are using civilians as human shields.
The Giants Brigade also accused the militants of systematically destroying the city’s infrastructure facilities and planting mines in residential areas, schools and mosques after their recent military defeats.
