
Yemeni pro-government forces have advanced to within 40 kilometres (25 miles) of Sanaa in a push towards the rebel-held capital from the northeast, loyalist military sources said on Friday.
Loyalist forces took the town of Nihm after overrunning the headquarters of the renegade pro-rebel 312th Brigade of the army earlier this week, the sources said.
The advance puts them within striking distance of the heights overlooking Sanaa international airport, where residents said the rebels were digging trenches and laying minefields.
Both sides suffered losses in the battle for the camp.
"We are now on the road to Sanaa," said a jubilant loyalist fighter who gave his name only as Mohammed.
"We ask our brothers, the fighters of the national army, to be patient. Victory will be at hand very soon."
The push towards Sanaa from the east comes with loyalist forces making little headway in their efforts to advance into central Yemen from their stronghold in the south.
Since a Saudi-led coalition intervened in support of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi last March, his loyalists have ousted Shiite Huthi rebels from five southern provinces.
But in the north they have been largely confined to Marib, east of Sanaa, and Jawf, on the Saudi border.
Progress has been slow, partly because of Yemen's mountainous terrain and in part because of the determined support the rebels have received from army units still loyal to Hadi's predecessor, Ali Abdullah Saleh.
The United Nations says the conflict has claimed more than 6,100 lives, nearly half of them civilians.
Source: AFP
GMT 18:32 2018 Thursday ,11 January
Nearly 100,000 displaced by fighting in northwest SyriaGMT 18:54 2018 Monday ,08 January
Tunisian police disperse protests against price hikes, unemploymentGMT 18:38 2018 Sunday ,07 January
Imam inaugurates move back to the Prophet’s MihrabGMT 19:14 2018 Saturday ,06 January
Iran: opposition protests and pro-regime ralliesGMT 19:58 2018 Wednesday ,03 January
Polisario Threats MINURSO to Enter Restricted Zone of GuergueratGMT 18:19 2018 Monday ,01 January
Syria’s Assad names new defense and other ministersGMT 18:14 2018 Monday ,01 January
Abbas condemns Israeli ruling party vote for West Bank annexationGMT 00:20 2017 Saturday ,30 December
Makkah forum to boost innovation, leadership
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor