Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Taiz: 7 Hours of Combat Take Down 40 Houthi Snipers | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
Select Page
Media ID: 55353717
Caption:

Hadi’s recent return to Aden indicates that the liberation of Taiz features highly on the government’s military agenda [Reuters]


Taiz: 7 Hours of Combat Take Down 40 Houthi Snipers

by | Jul 1, 2016 | Middle East |

Taiz: 7 Hours of Combat Take Down 40 Houthi Snipers

Taiz- Hours after U.N. Special Envoy to Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed announced suspending Yemeni peace talks held in Kuwait, to be resumed mid next month, violent clashes erupted between national army forces and insurgency militia in Taiz, a city located in the Yemeni Highlands.

The truce still is in effect, despite the unwarranted violations of insurgency militias which include Houthi fighters and pro-Saleh militants (militants supporting ousted Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh). Most of the clashes took place in the northern side of the Taiz governorate.

Pro-legitimacy forces stood in the way of militias advancing further into territory. Popular Resistance forces confronted insurgency militias, securing the 35th armored brigade zone established at old Taiz airport and central prison.

Wars renewed among embattled insurgency militants and Yemeni pro-legitimacy forces also across the eastern wing of Thaabat.

The battles witnessed extensive shelling, and many were reported dead or injured among both conflict sides.

Spokesman for the military council in Taiz, Col. Gen. Mansour al-Hassani, told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that the Taiz battles were remarkable, and had “taught insurgency militia an unforgettable lesson.”

He added that Houthi militants have suffered grave losses both in artillery and combatants, and still are undergoing fatalities till the current moment.

Hassani said that the militia had prepared well to invade the 35th Brigade camp, nevertheless with seven hours of constant battle had the insurgency facing a staggering defeat served by the persistence of the Popular Resistance and pro-legitimacy forces.

Hassani confirmed that over 40 Houthi snipers have been taken down.

Two insurgency tanks, four machine guns, two arms’ stockpiles, two military suits and a number of military equipment have been destroyed by pro-legitimacy forces during the Taiz battle.

Locals told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that Saudi-led coalition airstrikes had pounded insurgency militia hubs in location 50, Sanaa taking down militia tanks.

Legitimate authorities in Taiz confirmed that any support presented should be delivered to the hands of legitimate local authorities and axis leadership. Moreover, they urged the implementation of the Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi’s decision on merging forces.