Coalition launches huge operation to retake Taiz

Reinforcements rushed to southern and western areas around the city

Alarge-scale operation has been launched to regain control of Taiz, the commander of the fourth military region in Yemen told Sky News yesterday.

Ahmad Al Yafei said the operation, backed by the Saudi-led Arab coalition, aims to end a crippling siege of the city by Iran-backed Al Houthi militants. Coalition reinforcements were sent to the southern and western areas around Taiz. Sudanese forces stationed at the strategic Al Anad airbase in Lahej are taking part in the Taiz operation.

In the past 24 hours, Saudiled air strikes and clashes have killed some 40 Al Houthis and their allies. Taiz has seen heavy fighting in recent months between Al Houthis and forces loyal to President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi’s internationally recognised government.

Pro-government forces are in Taiz, while Al Houthi militants and troops loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh control the main roads leading into the city, blocking food, water and aid supplies.

Saudi-led coalition forces yesterday advanced towards Yemen’s third city Taiz after sending major reinforcements in a bid to break a months-long siege by Iran-backed militants, military officials said.

The move comes ahead of an expected offensive to retake the city, seen as a gateway to controlling the militant-held capital, said the Yemeni officials.

Armoured demining vehicles and other reinforcements arrived in the Shuraija region, between the loyalist-controlled Lahej province and Taiz in the southwest, said officials in the main southern city of Aden.

Sudanese forces from the strategic Al Anad airbase in Lahej are taking part in the Taiz operations, according to the sources.

Taiz has seen heavy fighting in recent months between Al Houthi militants and forces loyal to President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi’s internationally recognised government.

Loyalist forces are inside Taiz, while Al Houthi militants and troops loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh control the main roads leading into the city.

Along the coast, coalition troops deployed in Dhabab in a bid to advance towards the Red sea city of Mokha, a part of Taiz province which is under rebel control, the sources said.

On Sunday, military officials spoke of major coalition reinforcements of troops and equipment arriving in Taiz from Aden.