Arab coalition forces seeking to restore legitimacy in Yemen have liberated nearly 40km of a coastal stretch on the Red Sea over the past week as they continue to advance against the strongholds of Houthis and their allies.
The forces from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other coalition members have expelled all rebels from Wadi Dabab area, the second Houthi stronghold to be liberated in the Taiz province after Bab Al Mandab, according to coalition reports.
As the war rages, coalition forces continue to advance north towards Al Mukha port in the Red Sea town of Al Hudaydah, Yemen’s fourth largest city.
The coalition forces have announced that the operation in that area is intended to deprive the rebels from ports and any other coastal outlets to stop supplies to them as they push ahead towards the capital Sanaa, the Houthi’s main stronghold.
Quoted by the UAE daily ‘Al Bayan’, Taiz military council commander Brigadier Sadeq Sarhan said the liberation of Dabab was a coordinated operation between the coalition forces and the Yemeni resistance, adding that this would allow the legitimate forces to “clean up” those areas and advance towards other Houthi positions.
UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Anwar Gargash, said he believes that the Houthis and their allies have started to ‘maneuver’ following their military defeats.
“They are now maneuvering after their military defeats…they are trying to find a way out by making political gestures…we say that these rebels must clearly recognize the legitimacy as a basis for any political settlement,” he said.
Meanwhile, thousands of Yemenis took to the streets in Aden to express their thanks to the coalition forces and to denounce the terror practices of the rebels, backed by Iran.
We didn’t receive any pledge from Al Houthis, as operations continue, says Arab coalition spokesman
Staff Brigadier General Ahmed Asiri, spokesman of the Saudi-led Arab coalition forces, has confirmed that the coalition forces continue the military operations against the Houthi militia and agents of Ali Saleh, with the aim to restore the legitimacy, security and stability to Yemen.
He added that ‘Operation Restoring Hope’ will achieve its goals either militarily or politically through full implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution No. 2216.
Asiri told ‘Al Arab’ net that the military command did not receive anything pledge made by the Houthi rebels regarding the cease-fire and the recognition of the legitimate government of Yemen. “If that happens, it will be announced formally by the Yemeni government and the United Nations,” he said.
Agencies
