Arab Coalition begins large scale operation to liberate Hodeidah

The Arab Coalition has launched a large-scale, multi-pronged operation towards the areas under the Houthi militias' control to liberate the city of Hodeidah, after reinforcing troops at Kilo 16 and cutting the besieged rebels' key Sana'a-Hodeidah supply lines, Brigadier Ali Al Tunaiji, Commander of the Arab Coalition taskforce in Yemen's Red Sea Coast, told Emirates News Agency (WAM).

"The Saudi-led Arab Coalition forces continue military operations in Yemen's Red Sea Coast, in cooperation with the Joint Yemeni Resistance forces through surprising strategic military plans that were unexpected by the collapsing militias whose positions are falling one by one, leading the militia forces to flee the battlefield, leaving behind their weapons, equipment and dead fighters, with Coalition forces taking control of strategic areas in Hodeidah front and cutting the rebels' supply lines," Brigadier Al Tunaiji stated.

He added that the military operation, launched by the Arab Coalition and Joint Yemeni Resistance forces, enabled them to control Kilo 7 and Kilo 10 areas, while reinforcing troops in Kilo 16 and cutting the key Sana'a-Hodeidha supply line for the rebels. He said dozens of Houthi militia fighters were killed and captured, including field, operations and mobilisation commanders. Other beleaguered Houthi fighters surrendered, making way for the Coalition and Resistance forces to re-take new positions from the Houthis.

"The military operations in Hodeidah Governorate are being carried out under perfect and well-studied plans that take into consideration safety of the citizens and avoiding any harms to civilians who are being used as human shields by the militias to protect their defeated fighters. Additionally, they use government and civilian buildings belonging to Yemeni citizens for military purposes and booby-trap them in clear violation of all international laws and conventions."

Brigadier Al Tunaiji pointed out that the military operations led the Houthi militias to lose their composure and concentration as they fled the battlefield, anticipating their inevitable defeat, following the sweeping advancement of the Coalition and Resistance forces and re-taking of strategic positions from the militias.

"The Houthi militias used to target and destroy property of the Yemeni people which exposes their sinister plans to undermine Yemen and its people. The Arab Coalition forces detected acts of sabotage by the militias in Kilo 16 area of Hodeidah after their successive defeats and collapse in their morale and after being besieged and left with little defence in the city," he added.

He said the Arab Coalition forces are monitoring every move of the Houthi militias in the Hodeidah front, foiling their desperate military operations that seek to raise the morale among their collapsing ranks.

Brigadier Al Tunaiji lauded the great role played by Amaliqa brigades, operating as part of the Joint Yemeni Resistance, saying they exhibited superb fighting spirit and taught the Houthis lessons in the battlefield. He revealed that thousands of well-trained Joint Yemeni Resistance fighters joined the operation to secure the liberate areas in Hodeidah and to deal with any desperate infiltration moves by the Houthis.

He concluded by saying that the Saudi-led Arab Coalition liberation operation goes hand in hand with a humanitarian operation to distribute more aid and to implement development and services projects in the liberated areas of the Hodeidah Governorate to help the Yemeni citizens to overcome the difficult circumstances created by the unrelenting violations of the Houthi militias.