Houthis report significant advances in Taiz province

The Yemeni Ansar Allah movement (Houthis) has made significant progress during battles with government forces in Taiz province in southwestern Yemen, a Yemeni military source told RIA Novosti.

“Ansar Allah forces launched a large-scale offensive from several directions in the Shammayyatein area in southern Taiz and established control over the Al-Safiya area, including the strategically important road to the city of Taiz, after which they advanced to the El-Markaz market near the city of Al-Turba, the administrative center of the area,” the agency’s interlocutor said.

According to the source, the movement's forces also took control of the areas of Samsara, Al-Barkani, Al-Zaazaa, Al-Makarima, Al-Zakira, Al-Zuraika, Samdan, Bani Sheiba and Al-Buzayzha. During the offensive, they entered the home of Yemen's parliament speaker Sultan al-Barqani, while clashes with the army continue in the Al-Asabih area.

The source added that Ansar Allah forces also advanced into the Jebel Habashi area west of Taiz, gaining full control of the Bani Bakari front, after which they entered the Al-Mawasit area in the south of the province and occupied its first settlement, Al-Akhmur.

The movement's forces continue to advance in the direction of Al-Aalyum, the home district of the head of Yemen's governing presidential council, Rashad al-Alimi, where his home is located.

In addition, according to the agency's interlocutor, the Houthis have established control over the areas of Al-Ghazalia, Al-Mashawila and Al-Qadha in the Al-Maafir district, and fighting with the army continues in Al-Bireyn and Al-Khiyami. The source added that the retreat of government forces from several areas of Shammayatein, Al-Mawasit, Al-Maafira and Jebel Habashi followed clashes that continued from early morning, in which 37 people were killed on both sides and dozens were injured.

The day before, the Yemeni army reported 257 strikes on Ansar Allah positions, movements and military installations using aircraft, drones, artillery, missiles and MLRS in Sanaa and several provinces of the country. According to her, as a result of these attacks, about 700 supporters of the movement were killed or wounded, and 170 pieces of equipment and other military equipment were destroyed.