350 Takfiri terrorists, Saudi mercenaries killed in Yemeni army operation in Bayda: Spokesman

The spokesman for Yemen’s Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, says Yemeni army troops and allied fighters from Popular Committees have managed to deal a severe blow to Takfiri militants and Saudi mercenaries during the recent large-scale military operation in the central province of al-Bayda, killing hundreds of them in the process.

Speaking at a press conference in the capital Sana’a on Thursday afternoon, Saree stated that Yemeni armed forces notched up glorious victories during Operation Nasr al-Mobin (Manifest Victory), and killed 350 Takfiri terrorists, including members of Daesh and al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) terror outfits. Scores of them fled as well.

“Takfiri groups sought to assert control over several districts in al-Bayda province. The resurgence of Takfiri outfits was in fact part of US plans to target Yemen, and plunge it into the hands of mercenaries and extremists,” he pointed out.

Saree added, “The large amount of weapons that Yemeni army troops, Popular Committees fighters and security forces recovered from Takfiri terrorists shows the extent of support provided by the [Saudi-led] coalition of aggression to Saudi-paid militants.”

The senior Yemeni military official went on to say that the invading Saudi-led alliance supplied the militants with weapons, and allowed dozens of foreign Takfiris to sneak into Yemen.

“This battle once again exposed the true nature of Takfiri Daesh and al-Qaeda elements, and their affiliation to the United States. Relevant parties in Yemen are properly informed of the activities of these Takfiri elements in various regions, including the city of Ma’rib and elsewhere,” Saree highlighted.

The spokesman for Yemen’s armed forces highlighted that Takfiris have committed numerous crimes against residents of al-Bayda province, prompting Yemeni security forces and armed forces to act quickly.

“Different Yemeni army units, supported by local residents of al-Bayda and ... tribal fighters, launched a large-scale operation in the area. During the major offensive, Yemeni missile units carried out nine attacks with [domestically-developed ballistic] Badr and Sair missiles. Drone and missile units launched a total of 66 retaliatory attacks.

"Separately, Saudi-led fighter jets carried out more than 161 airstrikes in support of Takfiri groups operating in the region,” Saree said.

“Our forces managed to hit the strongholds of Takfiri elements, and documented their operations through the release of pictures and video footage. Operation Nasr al-Mobin resulted in the liberation of areas in As Sawma'ah and Az Zahir districts, which cover an expanse of ​​approximately 100 square kilometers. Our forces were also able to destroy 29 armored vehicles,” the top Yemeni military official noted.

“Military, media and financial support for Takfiri groups during the recent battle showed these groups are just a tool in the hands of invaders. The freedom-loving and honorable people of al-Bayda do not wish to see their cities and regions having turned into Daesh and al-Qaeda bastions. We thank and appreciate the cooperation of locals and tribal fighters," he said.

“Over the past 7 years, the coalition of aggressor has employed various military, security and economic repressive measures [against Yemen]. However, it has reaped nothing other than popular resistance and steadfastness. Defeat and failure definitely await the [Saudi-led] coalition,” Saree concluded.

Saudi Arabia, backed by the US and regional allies, launched the devastating war on Yemen in March 2015, with the goal of bringing the government of former Yemeni president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi back to power and crushing the popular Ansarullah resistance movement.

Yemeni armed forces and allied Popular Committees have, however, gone from strength to strength against the Saudi-led invaders, and left Riyadh and its allies bogged down in the country.

The Saudi war has left hundreds of thousands of Yemenis dead, and displaced millions more. The war has also destroyed Yemen's infrastructure and spread famine and infectious diseases across the Arab country.

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