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Over the last several days, and especially on February 15th, heavy clashes are taking place in Yemen’s Marib.
The Houthis have pushed the Saudi-led coalition hard, reaching the city itself and the Marib Dam.
Immediately, the UN began crying foul, saying that a push threatened the civilians, and saying that “the peace process” was under threat.
The peace process in question is Saudi Arabia and Co. bombing civilian targets and not adhering to the al-Hudaydah ceasefire.
An assault on the city would put two million civilians at risk, with hundreds of thousands potentially forced to flee – with unimaginable humanitarian consequences. Now is the time to de-escalate, not to add even more to the misery of the Yemeni people.
— Mark Lowcock (@UNReliefChief) February 15, 2021
I’m very alarmed about the military escalation in Marib and its impact on the humanitarian situation.
— Mark Lowcock (@UNReliefChief) February 15, 2021
The Houthis seek to wrestle control of Marib, closing off Saudi-Arabia’s southern border and taking control of oil fields in the province that would give them leverage in possible peace negotiations.
Alarmed by the Houthis’ renewed push, the Saudi-led coalition bombed their advancing convoys in the sprawling desert around Marib. It also brought in ground enforcements from the government-held provinces of Taiz and Shabwa, the officials said.
So far, it appears that there is little progress on the side of Saudi Arabia.
Marib is the last stronghold of the Saudi-led coalition in the relatively calm central region of Yemen. This would also allow for the Houthis to push towards Saudi Arabia’s southern parts.
News sources claimed that more than 48 fighters were killed and over 120 were wounded on February 10th and 11th, with the majority of the casualties from among the Houthi rebels.
Two unnamed military officials from the Saudi puppet government said at least 16 pro-government forces were killed and 21 wounded in the past 24 hours, adding that “dozens were killed” among Houthi ranks.
The Houthis have cut off supply lines to a district about 50 kilometres south of the city, with “the goal to lay siege to Marib”, one of them said.
On February 14th, the kingdom intercepted two Houthi bomb-laden drones fired towards the southern garrison town of Khamis Mushait, the official Saudi Press Agency cited the Riyadh-led military coalition as saying.
However, a Houthi military spokesman said two rebel drones struck the airport in the nearby city of Abha.
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- The Liaison and Coordination Officers’ Operations Room (loyal to Ansar Allah) reported 192 ceasefire violations in al-Hudaydah during the past 24 hours
- On February 15, Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted 7 airstrikes on the Zaher area
- On February 15, Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted 11 airstrikes on the Sarwah area
- On February 15, Ansar Allah continued its advances west of Marib and captured the Zour and Hamajira areas
- On February 16, clashes between Ansar Allah and Saudi-led forces continued in the Talaat al-Hamra area
- On February 16, Ansar Allah attacked Khamis Mushait Airport with 3 drones
MORE ON THE TOPIC:
- Military Situation In Yemen On February 15, 2021 (Map Update)
- Fourth Houthi Attack Targets Abha Airport, Saudi Arabia Responds With Threats
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