Battle for Ma’rib: Yemeni army, allies make big advances on eastern front

Yemeni army troops and allied fighters from Popular Committees have made new advances against Saudi-led coalition militants in Yemen's central province of Ma’rib, flushing them out of several districts and edging closer to final victory.

Lebanon-based Arabic-language al-Mayadeen television news network reported that the Yemeni soldiers and their allies have wrested control over Raqwan district, and are working to take over al-‘Alam al-Abyad and al-Nadhoud regions, which lie northeast of Ma’rib city.

Local sources said Yemeni army forces and fighters from Popular Committees have been able to purge a number of positions from Saudi-led forces and militants loyal to former Yemeni president Abd Rabbuh Mansur, and have also laid a siege to militants affiliated to al-Qaeda terror group on the outskirts of al-Nadhoud district.

The sources added that Yemeni forces are currently advancing towards the al-Wadiyah border crossing with Saudi Arabia.

Yemeni group demands popular support amid decisive battle in Ma’rib against Saudi forces

A Yemeni group calls for popular support as Yemeni armed forces and allied fighters from popular committees are advancing in Yemen’s strategic central province of Ma’rib.

Moreover, the Yemeni army troops and allies have seized several areas east of the Medghal district after fierce clashes with pro-Hadi loyalists supported by Saudi-led coalition military aircraft.

Dozens of Saudi mercenaries were killed and wounded in the process. Among the dead were Brigadier Ahmed Qaid al-Sha’rabi, commander of the Kasara Front and the 117th Brigade of Hadi loyalists, and a number of his close aides. They were killed during confrontations in Malbouda area.

Serious clashes are also going on between the Yemeni soldiers and pro-Hadi forces in the southern flanks of al-Tala'a al-Hamra area.

Additionally, Saudi-led coalition fighter jets have launched a series of airstrikes against al-Zour area and other military sites, which were recently taken over by the Yemeni army forces in the Sirwah district of Ma’rib province.

There were no immediate reports about possible casualties and the extent of damage caused.

Over the past few weeks, Ma'rib has been the scene of large-scale operations by the Yemeni troops and allied Popular Committees fighters, who are pushing against Saudi-backed Hadi supporters.

Daesh terrorists confirm fighting alongside Saudi mercenaries in Yemen

Daesh has announced that its members are fighting alongside Saudi-backed mercenaries against Yemeni forces in the province of Ma’rib.

The Daesh Takfiri terrorist group issued a short statement on Wednesday, saying it has carried out operations against the Yemeni armed forces in the province, killing and wounding a number of them in the process. 

The Yemeni forces' advances have raised concerns in the Saudi-led coalition and their allies, including the United States.

The Houthi Ansarullah movement says this once again proved the US support for terrorist elements in Ma'rib.

‘Coalition of aggression opposed to end of Yemen war, peace establishment’

Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, a senior member of Ansarullah’s political bureau, says members of the Saudi-led coalition waging an atrocious military campaign on Yemen are opposed to the cessation of hostilities and establishment of lasting peace.

Bukhaiti told al-Mayadeen television news network that the Yemeni army troops and allied fighters from Popular Committees are prepared to stop battles in Ma’rib once the Saudi-led coalition ends its military operations completely.

Independence-seeking Yemen will never accept guardianship of US, Israel, Saudi Arabia: Houthi

Yemen wants to be a free and independent country, and never accepts guardianship of US, Israel, Saudi Arabia, the Ansarullah leader says.

“The countries of aggression demand an end to fighting on fronts where they are defeated, not on all fronts,” he said, emphasizing that the United States and Saudi-led coalition “are preventing oil derivatives from reaching Yemen and threatening the work of humanitarian facilities there.”

Bukhaiti highlighted that “the coalition of aggression refuses to stop the [Yemen] war and opposes achievement of comprehensive peace. We are assured of our victory in this war.”

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