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On March 9, fighters loyal to Saudi-backed Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi resumed their advance in the central province of Saana and captured al-Admagh Mountains in the district of Nihm, according to the UAE-based al-Arabiya TV.
Al-Arabiya TV said that Saudi-led coalition backed the attack by pro-Hadi forces in the Nihm district and destroyed several positions and a vehicle belonging to the Houthis.
Yemeni sources reported that pro-Hadi fighters had repelled a large attack by the Houthis on their positions east of the Tibab al-Zilal area of the Nihm district. Pro-Hadi fighters killed 19 fighters of the Houthis, including a field commander named “Abu Zaid al-Wajih”, according to the sources.
The Saudi-led coalition has also stepped up its aerial operations against the Houthi’ supplies lines between the provinces of Saana and Ma’rib.
On March 3, coalition warplanes conducted three airstrikes against gatherings and vehicles of the Houthis in Ma’rib. 13 Houthi fighters were reportedly killed.
The current goal of the Saudi-led coalition’s efforts is the strategic Saana airport, located north of the Yemeni capital. However, local observers doubt that the Saudi-led coalition will be able to capture the airport anytime soon as its forces are currently stationed dozens of kilometers north and northeast of it.
