Illustrative image, source: the Houthis media wing.
The Houthis (Ansar Allah) and their allies continue to advance in the central Yemen province of Ma’rib, where Saudi-backed forces appear to be on the brink of collapse.
On October 29, Houthi fighters captured the town of al-Jarashah which is located some 35 kilometers to the south of Ma’rib city. The town is located on Route 574 that links to the N5 highway leading to the city.
A Yemen source told the Beriut-based al-Mayadeen TV that the Houthis captured al-Jarashah following heavy clashes with Saudi-backed forces, which failed to hold onto the town despite receiving close air support from the Saudi-led coalition.
Earlier this week, the Houthis successfully concluded the second phase of Operation Spring of Victory in Ma’rib after capturing the districts of al-Jubah and Jabal Murad.
The Houthis have been using all of their military capabilities, including their missile force, to mount pressure on Saudi-backed forces in Ma’rib.
On October 28, the Houthis targeted the house of Sheikh Abdul Latif al-Qibli Nimran, a Saudi-backed tribal leader, in the town of Al Sayyad with a ballistic missile, according to pro-Saudi media sources.
Sheikh Abdul Latif survived the pinpoint missile strike. However, twelve people, including two of the Sheikh’s children, were killed.
The Houthis will likely advance further in southern Ma’rib in the upcoming few days. So far, Saudi-backed forces have failed to organize an effective defense. Furthermore, the Saudi-led coalition’s intense airstrikes on Houthi forces appear to be ineffective.
