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Yemen National Army pushes into northern Houthi stronghold

May 1, 2018 at 2:12 pm

Yemen’s National Army (YNA) has reportedly made considerable military advancements against the Houthi group’s stronghold in Saada governorate, the Anadolu Agency reported today.

The YNA captured eight Houthi military positions in Saada following lethal clashes inflicting several casualties on the Houthis. The YNA reported on its open source wires that it destroyed several combat vehicles belonging to the Houthis in the Kataf directorate.

The Houthi official Telegram group reported continuous rocket fire and artillery attacks on various areas on the border town of Razih. In addition, the Saudi-led coalition launched 23 air raids in different areas of the Directorate of Baqam.

READ: Yemen forces take over official sites in Taiz

Saudi Arabia launched 39 raids across Saada, Hudaydah and Hajjah governorates according to the Houthi-run Saba Net. There were no details given on casualties, but the report insinuates heavy bombardment on the Houthi strongholds.

Central Bank destroyed

Yesterday, the Saudi-led coalition destroyed the Central Bank of Yemen branch in Saada. Air strikes left infrastructural damage, although nothing was reported on civilian casualties.

Last week, it was announced that the Saudi-led coalition killed Saleh Al-Samad, a senior Houthi political leader. The Houthis have since blamed the US for assisting the Saudi-led coalition in targeting Al-Samad.

Martin Griffiths, the UN special envoy to Yemen is planning on travelling to Sana’a this week to hold talks with the Houthis and General People’s Council (GPC). One section of the GPC, formerly led by Ali Abdullah Saleh has joined the Houthis, while the other faction joined the YNA, assisting with advances to retake Yemen.