Yemen’s army intensifies attacks on Houthi rebels

Yemen’s army intensified its air campaign against Houthi positions on Monday, striking several fronts as the government mobilized reinforcements against the insurgent movement.

The Armed Forces Press Center said government aircraft carried out 13 attacks on Houthi positions, troop concentrations and military vehicles in the Al Sharyah, Dhi Naaim and As Sawadiyah districts of central Al Bayda province. The strikes also targeted a missile-launch platform. The army said it conducted more than 11 further attacks against Houthi positions and barracks elsewhere in Al Bayda during the previous 24 hours.

In Marib, one of the government’s main strongholds in northern Yemen, warplanes hit Houthi fighter concentrations and military positions on the province’s southern fronts. The operations followed the government’s claim on Sunday that it had “destroyed and neutralized” the strategic Al Labnat camp in the northeast. The government described the camp as a critical point for securing or threatening the northern districts of oil-rich Marib province.

The air campaign also reached the Murais front in southern Al Dalea province. The army said government aircraft destroyed a Houthi command-and-control center and a thermal-detection system on Mount Nasa, as well as striking groups of fighters in the area. In western Taiz, government forces maintained intense military activity after several alleged Houthi infiltration attempts and artillery and missile attacks.

The Houthis, meanwhile, said they had shot down two armed reconnaissance drones allegedly linked to Saudi Arabia over Al Jawf and Taiz.

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destroyed and neutralized