Yemen National Army retakes region in Al-Baydah

The Yemen National Army (YNA) has retaken territory in Al-Baydah governorate based in southern Yemen today, the Anadolu Agency reported.

“Most of Nati directorate is now under government control,” Mosaad Al-Salahi, director-general of Al-Baydah’s Nati directorate, confirmed.

Internationally recognised President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi’s YNA and loyal forces gained control of Al-Kataf Mountain in the region. Two Houthi snipers were killed. There were no reports of casualties on side of the YNA while the Houthis have are yet to publically comment on the operation.

The incident occurred one day after Hadi’s office announced the retaking of territory in Hays from the Houthis in the West Coast front. Forces loyal to the UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) participated in the assault on Hays.

The Yemen civil war erupted in 2014 when the Houthi armed group took over Sana’a alongside an alliance with late President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s General People’s Congress (GPC) party. The Houthis continue to control northern Yemen.

Houthis: 46 Saudi air strikes in 48 hours

The United States’ Central Command (CENTCOM) yesterday released fresh data on drone strikes in Yemen. It claimed that eight strikes were executed in December 2017 and ten in January 2018 against Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and Daesh.

The targeted strikes took place in Marib, Al-Baydah, Al-Abyan and Shabwa governroates, triggering a blur on objectives between the US’ ‘war on terror’ and the Yemen civil war.

The US is directly assisting the Saudi-led coalition invited by Hadi to neutralise threats posed by the Houthi group. Yet, it is unknown if the US is assisting in targeting Houthi positions. According to US national law, it is only permitted to target AQAP and associated forces.

Some 10,000 Yemenis have already been killed as a result of the unrest in the country.

Yemen: Protests as 7 killed in US drone strike