Arab Coalition launched air raids on areas controlled by Houthi

Saudi-led coalition forces killed two of the most high-profile Houthi militia commanders in Yemen’s Harad and Midi fronts in the city of Hajjah. The two commanders have been identified as Abu Marwan and Abu Ayman. Both men were tasked with leading battles on the Midi front.

Two T72 tanks, Katyusha rocket launchers, missiles and ammunition warehouses were destroyed during two days on both fronts. Meanwhile, government-allied forces in Shabwa province deterred militia attacks on the al-Alam, al-Salim, al-Akda and al-Soueida posts in the Bayhan district.

Yemen’s army and resistance forces are quickly advancing toward Saada after gaining control of several strategic areas nearby. Factions from the army and resistance forces were able to regain control on Monday the command center of Brigade 101, the al-Thar and Habsh mountains. Saada has been under siege from Houthi militias and was the city where a missile was launched targeting holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia last October.

Inner struggles among coup militias in Yemen erupted as ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh, a major partner in the insurgency, criticized Iran-allied Houthis for operating under foreign agendas.

Yemen’s army and resistance forces are quickly advancing toward Saada after gaining control of several strategic areas nearby. Factions from the army and resistance forces were able to regain control on Monday the command center of Brigade 101, the al-Thar and Habsh mountains. Saada has been under siege from Houthi militias and was the city where a missile was launched targeting holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia last October.

Inner struggles among coup militias in Yemen erupted as ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh, a major partner in the insurgency, criticized Iran-allied Houthis for operating under foreign agendas.

Saleh’s war of words was in response to Abdul-Malik al-Houthi’s accusations against him that he allegedly betrayed the coup and used political extortion.

Political analysts told Asharq Al-Awsat that Saleh’s speech, most notably his well-expressed desire that the General People’s Congress party needed to be distinguished from other Yemeni political components, as well as his claim that he is in charge of the constitution and the law, shows his lack of regard to his coup partners, the Houthis.

Saleh sees that Houthi militias have adopted the Iranian model and reproduced it in areas they control – lacking in self-determination, Houthis are considered under-qualified to lead or manage their territory. “Saleh tried to deliver a message that he is a man committed to the law and is governed by the objectives of the coup, noting his rejection of Houthi doctrines” Yemeni political analyst Najib Gulab said.

Gulab said that Saleh realizes that Houthis follow an ideological structure that can only produce violence and conflict and works contrary to political beliefs held within Yemen.Despite surprising the world with their joint coup against the internationally-backed government in 2014, Houthis and armed Saleh loyalists showed differences in rhetoric and approach.

Fahd al-Sharfi, an aide to the Aden-based government information minister, said that the dispute now is taking a turn to the worst as Saleh sheds light on the Houthi’s poor management, particularly in the case of al-Malik’s uncle, Abdul Karim Amir al-Houthi, who was a shadow director for the Houthi movement.

Saleh’s reaction to the speech of the leader of Houthi was quick and clear, and demonstrated more experience in delivering counter messages to Houthi stances, explained Gulab.

More so, in order to dodge accusations of colluding with the Saudi-led Arab coalition backing Yemen’s constitutionally elected government, he repeated more than once in his speech that he was against the alliance.

On the political side, Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa underlined the importance Sunday on participating in Saudi-led alliance due to its devotion to Arab cooperation and protection of the region from external interference.

Bahrain news agency (BNA) said the Bahraini leader made his remarks during the reception of Yemeni Premier Dr. Ahmed Obeid bin Daghr. King Hamad also expressed his admiration to deeply rooted historical relations, lauding long-standing fraternal relations binding the peoples of both countries.

King Hamad reiterated Bahrain's firm support to the legitimate rule and the restoration of security and stability in Yemen so as it preserves its sovereignty, unity, Arab identity and achieves its people's aspirations.

For his part, Daghr expressed his thanks and appreciation to King Hamad, hailing Bahrain's honorable stance, sacrifices and participation in the Saudi-led Operation Restore Hope in support of Yemen's legitimate rule. The Yemeni premier lauded also Bahrain's humanitarian relief aid to affected people in his country, hailing the crucial role of the Royal Charity Organization (RCO), which provides assistance and medical care to Yemeni peop.