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On January 25, forces loyal to Saudi-backed Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi and the Saudi-led coalition launched a new military operation to break the Houthis siege on the city of Taiz, the capital of the southwestern Taiz province.
In the beginning of the operation, pro-Hadi forces attacked several key positions of the Houthis in the areas of al-Zunuj, al-Arba’yn, al-Hwjalah and Wa’sh Mount in the outskirt of Taiz, according to the UAE-based al-Arabiya TV. Pro-Hadi fighters reportedly destroyed two battle tanks and four vehicles of the Houthis in their attack.
Saudi-led coalition warplanes supported the advance and destroyed several positions of the Houthis around Tazi, including three ammo depots, according to al-Arabiya.
Pro-Hadi forces have been besieged by the Houthis inside Taiz city since the outbreak of the Yemeni war in 2015. On August 18, 2016 the Saudi-led coalition was able to open a route towards the city. However, the Houthis maintained their key positions around it.
The new operation is likely another attempt by the Saudi-led coalition to make a significant military achievement in its war on the Houthis, especially after it failed to reach the city of al-Hudaydah in western Yemen in December, 2017.
