Recent Saudi/UAE combat losses in the Yemen conflict (2)

Second installment of imagery depicting Saudi/UAE combat losses inflicted by Ansarullah or allied Yemeni Army forces, during the current Yemen conflict:

Royal Saudi Land Force M1 Abrams type main battle tank, captured and subsequently destroyed by Ansarullah forces at a Saudi military base near Jizan.

Second view of captured and subsequently destroyed Royal Saudi Land Force M1 Abrams type main battle tank

Saudi military Gurkha rapid patrol vehicle (RPV), abandoned and captured near Jizan by Ansarullah or allied forces

Royal Saudi Land Force M1 Abrams type main battle tank near Jizan, hit and destroyed by Ansarullah or allied forces operating ATGM.

Royal Saudi Land Force M1 Abrams type main battle tank destroyed by Ansarullah or allied Yemeni Army forces, among three AFVs destroyed at this position near Jizan.

Saudi Toyota-platform LTV and Gurkha rapid patrol vehicle (RPV) destroyed by Ansarullah or allied Yemeni Army forces, apparent victims of ambush near Jizan.

United Arab Emirates Army Oshkosh M-ATV destroyed by Ansarullah or allied forces in the Mukayris region

United Arab Emirates Army Oshkosh M-ATV destroyed by Ansarullah or allied forces in the Mukayris region

United Arab Emirates Army Oshkosh M-ATVs destroyed by Ansarullah or allied forces in the Mukayris region

United Arab Emirates Army Oshkosh M-ATV destroyed by Ansarullah or allied forces in the Mukayris region

Remains of Schiebel Camcopter S-100 unmanned air vehicle (UAV) believed operated by United Arab Emirates military, downed by Ansarullah or allied Yemeni Army forces in the Mukayris region.

Sana'a government imagery of Scud-type ballistic missile, launched by Yemeni Army on 26AUG15 in the direction of Jizan, at same time Yemeni Army opened up with BM-27 Uragan MLRS artillery on Najran Domestic Airport.

Sana'a government claimed imagery of Scud-type ballistic missile launch on 26AUG15, in the direction of Jizan

Recent Saudi/UAE combat losses in the Yemen conflict (1)

Social media depictions of recent Saudi/UAE combat losses inflicted by Ansarallah/Yemeni Army forces in the Yemen conflict:

Major General Abdul Rahman Al-Shahrani, commander of 18th Infantry Brigade of Saudi Arabian Army reportedly KIA with members of RSLF on 23AUG15 by elements of Yemeni Army in Jizan province, southern Saudi Arabia.

Royal Saudi Land Force M2A2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) and armored wheel loader, knocked out and abandoned at Jizan region, southern Saudi Arabia.

Royal Saudi Land Force M88A1 Recovery Vehicle (ARV), disabled and abandoned at Jizan region, southern Saudi Arabia.

Royal Saudi Land Force Al Shibl 2 (“Cub 2”) armored vehicle, knocked out and abandoned at Jizan region, southern Saudi Arabia.

Royal Saudi Land Force wheel loader, knocked out and abandoned at Jizan region, southern Saudi Arabia

Small arms and equipment, thrown down by fleeing Royal Saudi Land Force troops at Jizan region, southern Saudi Arabia.

Royal Saudi Land Force M2A2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) and unidentified fighting vehicle, knocked out and abandoned at Jizan region, southern Saudi Arabia..

Doomed Saudi AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, shot down by Ansarullah forces in the district of Harad, in the western Yemeni province of Hajjah.

Ansarullah forces operating Kornet ATGM against Royal Saudi Land Force AFVs at Jizan region, southern Saudi Arabia

Royal Saudi Land Force AFVs being targeted by Ansarullah forces operating Kornet ATGM, at Jizan region, southern Saudi Arabia.

Knocked out United Arab Emirates Army Oshkosh M-ATV Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, location: Mukayras, in southern Yemen.

Abandoned United Arab Emirates Army Oshkosh M-ATV Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, location: Mukayras, in southern Yemen.

Knocked out United Arab Emirates Army Oshkosh M-ATV Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, location: Mukayras, in southern Yemen.

Knocked out United Arab Emirates Army Oshkosh M-ATV Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, location: Mukayras, in southern Yemen.

OTR-21 Tochka (NATO: SS-21 Scarab) mobile missile launch system captured by Ansarullah forces

OTR-21 Tochka (NATO: SS-21 Scarab) mobile missile launch system captured and fired by Ansarullah forces

Ansarullah or allied force member. Note the Republic of Yemen tricolor. The primary local force of the Saudi/UAE led coalition fly the flag of South Yemen, not the flag of the Republic of Yemen.

Continued fighting, Battle of Aden 2015

Pair of UAE-supplied and likely operated Oshkosh M-ATV MRAPs engaged in Aden street fighting on 18JUL15, from roughly 100 fighting vehicles said to now join battle in the Yemen conflict.

According to Agence France-Presse, dated 20JUL15:

ADEN: Yemeni pro-government forces on Sunday sought to tighten their control of Aden as Houthi rebels mounted resistance in some districts, two days after the regime declared the city “liberated.”

[…]

On Sunday, fighters from the pro-Hadi Popular Resistance advanced towards the rebel-held district of Al Tawahi, a military source said.

[…]

Swathes of the southern city have been reduced to rubble by the four months of ferocious fighting.

[…]

Around 15 air strikes targeted rebel positions in Al Tawahi and on the northern outskirts of the city where rebels had brought reinforcements, military sources and witnesses said.

[…]

Fighting also went on in the district of Crater where some rebels remain holed up, according to pro-Hadi fighters.

[…]

A rebel spokesman dismissed the government’s claims on Saturday that it had seized control of Aden as “psychological warfare and an attempt to improve the crushed morale” of loyalist fighters.

On Sunday, a spokesman of the Houthis’ Ansarullah movement said the rebels had “regained the lead and repelled several attacks by the mercenaries.”

COMMENTARY: The long-planned Saudi/UAE led couter-offensive against the Sanaa government in Yemen has made gains, seizing upon the opportunity of a humanitarian truce that had been sought and broken.

On 14JUL15 forces aligned with and encompassing the Saudi/UAE led military effort took Aden International Airport and reportedly cleared the Khormaksar district of pro-Sanaa government forces.

The counter-offensive has rendered in pockets elements of Ansarullah forces deployed in the peninsula.

By 16JUL15 forces aligned with and encompassing the  Saudi/UAE led military effort had retaken large parts in the port area of Mualla near Aden and entered the commercial district of Crater.

On 17JUL15, Saudi/UAE sources and the government in exile said that they had "liberated Aden from the Houthis". Despite that, Ansarullah forces still controlled the eastern and northern entrances to the city, and pockets of fighting have been observed.

Forces aligned with and encompassing the Saudi/UAE led military effort continue to press on with the counter-offensive by reportedly capturing two military bases, one of them in the Lahij Province and the other in the eastern Shabwa province.

Saudi military and media sources on 19JUL15 reported civilian casualties resulted from "Houthi artillery fired from six miles away." This writer finds it implausible that Houthi light infantry and not the Yemeni Army would operate large caliber artillery, targeting from such a distance. Sanaa government sources counter that the casualties were the result of Saudi-led airstrikes and naval gunfire.

Whatever the case, the Saudi/UAE military effort against the Sanaa government has taken a more direct role in the ground fighting, while its air forces have used up air-to-ground munitions to such an extent that replenishment has been required from Britain, transferring Paveway IV precision guided bombs originally earmarked for the Royal Air Force to Saudi Arabia, to enable the Gulf state to build stocks of the weapon being used against targets in Yemen (and Syria).

Despite reports from Gulf-produced media, resistance to the counter-offensive against the Sanaa government appears to be continuing. Whether or not the Battle of Aden 2015 and Battle of Taiz render consolidated positions or drawn-out attrition warfare may well dictate the ultimate fortunes of the Saudi/UAE military intervention in Yemen.

 

Knocked out UAE-supplied and likely operated Oshkosh M-ATV MRAP; imagery that received widespread coverage on media produced by the Sanaa government in Yemen.

Forces aligned with the Saudi/UAE led military intervention in Yemen operating technical equipped with ZPU-2 type anti-aircraft gun.

Royal Saudi Land Force special forces said depicted at Battle of Aden 2015

Ansarullah tactical counterstrikes inside Saudi Arabian territory

Still from video aired on Yemen television depicting Saudi Arabian Boeing AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, downed 07MAY15 in the al Buoke region, Saada Governorate.

Unclear if RSLAF Aviation Command or SANG Aviation Command. AFV at right possibly RSLF M60A3 main battle tank.

Houthi sources claim Apache downed by hostile action with crew fleeing scene. Upon query, Saudi Arabian source claims helicopter brought down by mechanical fault, with crew surviving.

Video evidence supports claim Houthi forces were on the scene, inside Saudi Arabian territory.

Ansarullah or their allies have also been shelling the Saudi Arabian city of Najran, with mortar and/or rocket fire since 06MAY15. Additionally, these forces have hit four Saudi Arabian border guard posts at Jizan and Najran, capturing five Saudi soldiers, killing a soldier and two civilians.

These actions reflect initiation of Houthi commander Ali al-Sham's public declaration of 24MAR15, to bring the war to Saudi Arabia should it intervene in the Yemen Civil War. (RSAF commenced airstrikes on Yemen the following day.)

Photo evidence from 06MAY15 of Najran under attack by Ansarullah or allied forces

Saudi Arabian security vehicle destroyed by shelling from Ansarullah or allied forces, 06MAY15 at Najran

COMMENTARY: These strikes by Ansarullah or allied forces reflect both an asymmetric response to the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen, as well as a probing for weak points with which to bring the war to within Saudi Arabian territory. 

RSAF efforts against Iran flight destined for Sana'a, Yemen

Photo published 28APR15 by Mashregh News claiming to depict Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle intercept of Iranian commercial flight destined for Sana'a International Airport (SAH / OYSN)

Iran claims flight was carrying humanitarian aid to Sana'a, while Anarullah sources claimed the return flight intended to evacuated wounded to Iran for treatment.

Aircraft from where above photo was taken inside appears possibly to be a Mahan Air Airbus A310-300 series.

Close-up of RSAF McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle air superiority fighter aircraft

Brigadier General Ahmed Asseri, spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition, told Reuters that Sana'a International Airport was bombed after the Iranian aircraft "refused to coordinate with the coalition" and the pilot ignored orders to turn back. Iranian state news agency IRNA, confirming the incident, said the pilots had ignored "illegal" warnings from Saudi jets to turn back before the runway was bombed. [source: Reuters]

Photo published by Mashregh News claiming to depict the view from inside the commercial jetliner, as it was intercepted by RSAF McDonnell Douglas F-15C Eagle fighter aircraft.

File photo: wing section of a Mahan Air Airbus A310-300 series aircraft

[photo: Mohammadreza Farhadi Aref]

File photo: Mahan Air Airbus A310-300 series long-range twin-engined wide-body jet airliner 

[photo: Terry Wade]

Video still from IRINN depicting 28APR15 attack by Saudi-led coalition tactical aviation on Sana'a International Airport. At left is a Felix Airways Bombardier CRJ-702ER regional airliner, while its sister aircraft can be seen in the distance ablaze. Two Ilyushin Il-76 "Candid" strategic airlifters are also visible in the imagery.

Video still depicting anti-runway operations being conducted by Saudi-led coalition tactical aviation, reportedly in efforts to prevent Iranian aircraft from utilizing Sana'a International Airport.

Burned wreckage of a Felix Airways Bombardier CRJ-702ER regional airliner, destroyed 28APR15 by attacking Saudi-led coalition aircraft. Aircraft registration 7O-FAA (cn 10267).

Ansarullah forces with T-62 tanks, at Presidential Palace in Aden

Video stills from Russia Today report aired 06APR15 on cable television

Ansarullah checkpoint at occupied Presidential Palace in Aden, Yemen. Two parked T-62 main battle tanks seen in background.

Three T-62 main battle tanks and a BTR-152 variant armored vehicle, parked amid Ansarullah occupying force.

BTR-152 variant armored vehicle, seen operated by Ansarullah armed forces

Ansarullah Toyota Hilux-based technical, at Presidential Palace in Aden

Dismounted motorized irregular infantry, with Gulf of Aden visible in background


COMPLETE VIDEO:

Map approximation of control zones for 05APR15 at Aden, Yemen