Yemen Houthi control strategic areas in Marib governorate 

Yemen’s Houthi on Tuesday seized strategic areas in the governorate of Marib, adjacent to the capital Sanaa, after heavy battles with the Yemeni government forces; Al-Hurra news reported.

The new development comes more than a week after the Houthis controlled the strategic city of Al-Hazm, the capital of Al-Jawf governorate.

A news agency affiliated with the group said the Houthis were able to clear strategic areas in the Sirwah District, west of the city of Marib, and take control of the town of Tabab Al-Bara which led to tightening controls over the strategic Tala Hamra hills.

The Saudi-led coalition has launched ten airstrikes on the strategic Jabal Heelan (Mount Heelan) in Sarawah directorate in a bid to prevent the Houthis from capturing it.

READ: Saudi-backed Yemen forces hit back at Houthi gains

By controlling most of the governorate and its directorates, Marib becomes the third Yemeni governorate adjacent to Saudi Arabia to be controlled by Houthi forces after the provinces of Saada and Hajjah.

Marib Governorate has major strategic importance for Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.

Saudi Arabia has been using Marib governorate to launch airstrikes against specific Houthi targets in Sana’a while the group wants to use it to approach the border governorate of Al-Jawf which would bring their drones and missiles closes to their targets in Saudi Arabia.