Yemen government forces liberate parts of Taiz Government forces...

Yemen government forces liberate parts of Taiz
Government forces are inching towards breaking Al Houthi siege on the city

Published: 17:33 August 20, 2016 Gulf News
Saeed Al Batati, Correspondent

Al Mukalla: Forces loyal to Yemeni President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi in the city of Taiz have once again taken the offensive and liberated new strategic locations.
For months, government forces in the densely populated city have remained on the defensive largely due to Al Houthis’ massive military reinforcement and a blockade of the city.
Local army and resistance commanders said on Saturday that they mounted fresh attacks on Al Houthi and forces loyal to ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh after receiving presidential directives to make headway in the city.
Tawfik Farhan, a pro-government field commander, told Gulf News most of territorial gains occurred in the western side of the city where the government forces are inching towards breaking Al Houthi siege on the city. “We have liberated strategic spots including checkpoints, hilly sites, Al Saleh park, the Black Mountain,” he said.
In the eastern part of the city, government loyalists cleared a military site called Mokakel where the rebel forces used to position heavy machines to shell the eastern districts of the city. “This position overlooks the eastern site of the city. We have found anti-aircraft guns left behind by the fleeing Al Houthis,” he said.


More than a year ago, Al Houthis and their military allies imposed a siege on the city in order to force local fighters to exit positions in the city. Early this year, Hadi’s forces managed to break the siege by controlling a checkpoint in the western side of the city where the rebels seize residents and their vehicles. Locals briefly brought in vital food and medical supplies before the rebels recaptured it with a big counterattack.
Farhan said the government forces are battling Al Houthis in the mountains of Ham, the rebels’ last military position in the western side of the city. “We are fighting Al Houthis in the middle of the mountain. If we drive them completely from the mountain, we would be able to reopen Dhabab-Aden road leading to breaking the siege.”
Farhan also said that the Saudi-led coalition in southern city of Aden has recently dispatched modern arms and ammunition to the government forces in the city. Locals say the coalition warplanes have launched massive air strikes targeting Al Houthis’ armed vehicles and military positions.
Separately, Yemen government has said that most of Yemen lands have been recaptured from Al Houthis and Al Qaida militants since the beginning of military operations early last year. Vice-President Lt-Gen Ali Mohsin Al Ahmar told a gathering of army commanders in Marib recently, “Eighty-five per cent of Yemen is under the control of legitimate (government) forces. Aden, Lahj, Shabwa and Abyan have been liberated and Taiz will be liberated soon.”