ADEN, Yemen, June 1 (NNN-SABA) – Forces loyal to the Yemeni government, launched heavy artillery attacks against several Houthi-controlled sites, in the southern province of Dhalea on Friday, a military official said.
The military official said that, the government forces, supported by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition, stepped up their bombardment against several positions controlled by the Houthi rebels in the northwestern parts of Dhalea province.
He confirmed that significant military gains were made by the government forces, after recapturing three villages from the Houthis’ control during earlier battles.
“The government forces advanced on-ground and now positioned in key border areas linking Dhalea with the Houthi-controlled province of Ibb in the country’s centre,” he said.
Other military sources said that, the advance came after a series of air strikes launched by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition against the Houthi-controlled sites in Dhalea.
Houthis suffered heavy losses as a result of the intensified aerial bombardment, carried out by Saudi-led war planes, according to local sources.
On Thursday, a senior commander of Yemen’s pro-government forces, along with two other officers were killed, during armed confrontations with the Houthi rebels in Dhalea.
The Houthis fired mortar shells which landed on a military position and resulted in the killing of Saif Suqra, commander of the first pro-government army brigade on the province, and two of his assistant officers, local sources said.
Both warring sides continued to mobilise large numbers of fighters to the front lines in Dhalea amid armed confrontations which have lasted for weeks in the government-controlled province.– NNN-SABA
