Yemen forces make significant advances in Saada province

The forces have taken full control of key mountain ranges in the Kataf directorate

FILE PHOTO: Smoke rises as people inspect damage at the site of air strikes in the city of Saada, Yemen January 6, 2018. REUTERS/Naif Rahma/File Photo
Powered by automated translation

Yemeni government forces, backed by the Arab Coalition, have made significant advances in the east of Saada province.

The forces have taken full control of key mountain ranges in the Kataf directorate, a military source said, according to the state-run Saudi Press Agency (SPA).

The coalition, which includes Saudi Arabia and the UAE, intervened in the Yemen war in March 2015 to fight the Houthi rebels at the request of the internationally-recognised government of President Abdrabu Mansur Hadi.

At least 10 members of the Iran-backed rebel group were killed and dozens injured in fierce fighting, the Yemeni defence ministry said.

It added that many Houthis escaped leaving behind their dead and wounded as well as weapons.

Meanwhile, the coalition struck more than eight Houthi targets, including a reinforcement convoy on its way to Saada.

Among those killed was a Houthi official, reported SPA.

_____________

Read more

Newly-deployed UAE-trained Yemeni forces key to Hodeidah victory

UN backs envoy's efforts as Yemen's Houthis reject proposal

Houthis cut off internet to 80 per cent of Yemen