Yemeni Government Returns to Aden after Months in Exile

Yemeni Prime Minister Khaled Bahah returned to Aden on Wednesday to restore his government on home soil after six months of exile in Saudi Arabia. He was accompanied by seven ministers when he arrived in Aden. Several other ministers had already relocated to Aden. President Hadi for now remains in exile in Riyadh.

Saudi/Emirati-led pro-government forces recaptured Aden in July and since have pushed northwards, driving back the Houthi/Saleh forces. The coalition is now waging an offensive in Mareb province, a gateway to the capital Sanaa. With the return of the exiled government, Yemen for now has two competing power centers in Aden and Sanaa.

File photo: Yemeni Prime Minister Khaled Bahah (Getty Images)

UAE-led Anti-Houthi Forces Take Control of Mareb City

In a major victory for anti-Houthi forces, the UAE-led fighters today took control of Mareb City in the center of Yemen, breaking the Houthi siege of the strategic town and pushing the Houthi/Saleh forces into the surrounding mountains, AP reported. Mareb City is 200 km (125 miles) from Sanaa, the country’s capital that was captured by the Houthis last September. Now the advance of the offensive forces toward Sanaa, if they choose to launch it, could be slowed down due to the mountainous terrain between them and the capital.

Map: Yementourism.com

Qatar Deploys 1,000 Troops to Support Saudi/UAE-led Offensive in Yemen

Qatar has deployed 1,000 ground forces backed by 200 armored vehicles and 30 Apache combat helicopters in Yemen to support Saudi/UAE-led offensive against the Houthi and Saleh forces, Al Jazeera reported today.

The Qatari forces are now heading to Yemen’s Mareb province to join the Saudi/UAE-led coalition to break the siege of Mareb city by Houthi and Saleh forces. This is the first time that Qatar is deploying troops in Yemen to support the anti-Houthi offensive.

Al Jazeera reports that more Qatari troops will be deployed in Yemen. The new force is expected to secure the Jawf governorate.

Meanwhile, UAE conducted bombardment of Houthi/Saleh military bases in Nahdain and Fajj Attan hills in Sanaa in the heaviest of the six-month-old air campaign on Sunday. Also targeted were Houthi positions in northern areas of Sufan and al-Nahda. UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain lost 61 soldiers on Friday when their camp’s weapons depot was exploded after being hit by a missile fired by the Houthis.

File Photo: Qatari troops marching (Getty Images/Al Jazeera)

UAE Launches Airstrike on Houthi Camp in Sanaa

Airstrikes from a UAE-Saudi coalition destroyed a key Houthi and Saleh encampment in the Yemeni capital, the headquarters of the Special Security Forces, on Sunday, with columns of grey smoke rising from downtown Sanaa. The warplanes also targeted weapons caches in the mountains of Noqum and Ayban, east and west of Sanaa. (AP, 6 September)

UAE’s Ministry of Interior posted videos on its Instagram account of Emirati fighter jets targeting the Houthi targets on Sunday. The airstrikes began after an official mourning period following the death of 46 UAE servicemen killed in their camp in Mareb hit by Houthi rocket. 10 Saudi and five Bahraini soldiers were also killed in the attack.

UPDATE: Coalition warplanes conducted three airstrikes against the Presidential Palace in Sanaa on Sunday.

Photo credit: Reuters/The National

ISIL Claims Responsibility for Mosque Attack

28 Dead in Sanaa Attack

The Yemen’s branch of the Islamic State claimed responsibility for two bombings today at a Shia mosque in northern Sanaa, killing 28 people and wounding 75. (Saba News Agency/Reuters, 2 September)

The al-Moayyad Mosque, run by the Houthis, has previously been targeted by ISIL, who regards the Houthis as heretics.

The Houthis, or the Ansar Allah, took control of Sanaa by force last September, starting a civil war in Yemen that was escalated in March when a coalition of Arab states, led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, intervened militarily to retake territories captured by the insurgents. More than 4,500 people have been killed in the conflict since Sanaa takeover a year ago.

File photo: The scene after a deadly attack at al-Moayyad Mosque in March 2015. Today ISIL took responsibility for double bombings targeting the same mosque; 28 people killed, 75 wounded.

Heavy Fighting in Yemen

Reports appearing in social media this morning indicate the UAE-led Yemeni resistance forces are on the move westward on Hwy N5 and are reaching Mareb (photo above).

A Twitter report says the UAE-led force, with Saudi helicopter air support, had entered Hadramaut’s town of Al Abr, in central-eastern Yemen, before heading west toward Mareb. If the report is confirmed, the offensive forces could have crossed into Yemen’s Hadramaut from Saudi border crossing of Al Wudaydah, traveling more than 300 km (nearly 200 miles) on roads through Hadramaut desert to reach Mareb. In fact, a Twitter post said a large force was rumored to cross Al Wudaydah toward Mareb. (Twitter/@omeisy, 22 August)

There were no reports of fighting and resistance by Houthi/Saleh forces against the offensive force reaching Mareb. Sanaa, the Yemeni capital, lies 200 km (125 miles) to the west of Mareb on N5 Hwy, a major road that can support Arab coalition’s heavy military equipment. The offensive could be the initial phase of the retaking of Sanaa by the Arab coalition-led forces.

Meanwhile, there are reports of heavy Houthi artillery fire at Southern Resistance positions inside the city of Taiz and Saudi airstrikes against Houthi position around the city, causing heavy casualties. The Houthis have been attempting to recapture Taiz, 330 km (205 miles) south of Sanaa. The resistance forces last week took control of the city and its Republic palace.

Social media also are publishing photos of Saudi commandoes disembarking from helicopters in Saada province, reportedly attacking Raghat Mountain hiding place of Houthi chief Abdul Malik Al Houthi.

UPDATE: AP quoting security officials reported Saturday night that Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) militants have seized control of key areas in and around Aden. If confirmed, this would a major gain for AQAP, which has been making inroads amid chaos of the country’s civil war.

Photo credit: A twitter photo showing a UAE-led column of anti-Houthi fighters near Mareb, 125 miles east of Sanaa (Twitter/@Yemen_Updates, 22 August)

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).

Saudi-led coalition land/amphibious actions, GCC efforts at UNSC

 

Above: public defiance displayed by Yemeni tribal forces at Sana'a, during Saudi-led coalition efforts directed at Yemen

According to to Reuters:

Yemen's Houthi fighters and their allies seized a central Aden district on Thursday striking a heavy blow against the Saudi-led coalition which has waged a week of air strikes to try to stem advances by the Iran-allied Shi'ite group.

Hours after the Houthis took over Aden's central Crater neighborhood, unidentified armed men arrived by sea in an area of the port city which the Iran-allied Shi'ite fighters have yet to reach.

A Yemeni official denied that ground troops had landed in Aden and a port official said they were armed guards who had disembarked from a Chinese ship trying to bring aid or evacuate civilians.

COMMENTARY: It's possible a Yemen Army formation loyal to Hadi has been landed to contest Ansarullah's push towards the Crater district of southern Aden. There are also reports that Chinese military personnel landed to assist in the evacuation of Chinese nationals, which was reported as partially successful.

A diplomat in Riyadh said Aden had come to symbolize Hadi's fading authority, meaning that Saudi Arabia could not afford to allow it to fall completely under Houthi control. But he said Riyadh's air campaign was so far geared more towards a slow war of attrition than an effective defense of the southern city.

"Saleh and the Houthis are keeping the pressure on Aden, which is the weak point in Saudi strategy," he said. "I think the Saudis would put ground forces into Aden to recapture it if it falls. It is a red line for them."

COMMENTARY: If the Saudis have planned for a long duration, aerial bombardment campaign, this would differ from the Israeli approach, which is short and sharp (other than the First Lebanon War, which is widely regarded as unsuccessful and ultimately counter-productive).

Landing Saudi troops at Port Aden for an urban fight risks casualties, with an attrition war not favorable to the invading force. It also requires considerable logistical support, likely involving the United States.

There are also reports of Royal Saudi Land Force suffering its first KIA during intense ground warfare against Ansarullah forces at the Saudi-Yemeni border. There may ebven be an inexorable pull for Saudi forces to foray into Yemeni territory, or even to invade in force.

In the Arabian Sea port of Mukalla, 500 km (300 miles) east of Aden, suspected al Qaeda fighters stormed the central prison and freed 150 prisoners, some of them al Qaeda detainees, sources in the local police and administration said.

They named one of the escapees as Khaled Batarfi, a provincial al Qaeda leader who was arrested four years ago, security sources said. Soldiers loyal to Hadi clashed with the suspected al Qaeda fighters in Mukalla early on Thursday, residents said.

COMMENTARY: This represents a serious blow to American counter-terror efforts, and considered an unfortunate byproduct of the Saudi-led coalition military effort directed towards Yemen.

According to AFP:

Gulf countries are locked in tough negotiations with Russia on a UN draft resolution to impose an arms embargo and sanctions on Yemen, diplomats said Wednesday.

[…]

The six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has been negotiating with the five permanent Security Council members and Jordan on a text after Saudi Arabia launched an air campaign on Yemen on March 26, without a UN mandate.

The GCC is no longer seeking a resolution that supports Saudi-led military action in Yemen, which Saudi Arabia argues is legal because it is being carried out at Hadi's request, diplomats said.

But its push for an international arms embargo and sanctions targeting the Huthis has run into major opposition from Russia, which has friendly relations with Iran.

[…]

During negotiations, Russia presented amendments to the draft resolution that would extend an arms embargo to all sides, including Hadi's forces in the conflict, diplomats said.

Moscow also opposed sweeping sanctions against the Huthis and requested that a list be submitted of individual names of rebel leaders who could be targeted for a global travel ban and assets freeze.

[…]

The UN's peace envoy for Yemen, Jamal Benomar, was in New York on Wednesday for meetings amid reports that Gulf countries were demanding that he be replaced.

COMMENTARY: At the Arab sumit held last week at Sharm El-Sheikh, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal accused Putin of hypocrisy after a letter by Putin was read aloud at the meeting and made public. Faisal referred to Russian assistance to Syria during that ongoing conflict. Now GCC members are seeking Russian approval of a UNSC resolution to assist their coalition war directed towards Yemen; a war not too dissimilar to Russia's in its pursuit of maintaining political leadership preferences in neighboring Ukraine, for which Russia has been economically sanctioned by the West. Many ironies during the multiple flash points of configuration currently afflicting the Middle East.

It's also interesting that the Saudi-led coalition war directed towards Yemen, as well as the military command dispute during the Salahadin campaign in Iraq reported late last week, doesn't appear to have impacted Iran's diplomatic posture during high-stakes nuclear negotiations at Lausanne.

Saudi-led Forces Blockade Yemeni Ports

Saudi-led coalition navies on Monday imposed a blockade on all Yemen’s ports to stop flow of weapons to the Houthis. The coalition has also bombed rebel-held airports to slow or stop the flow of weapons and fighters into Yemen. The land border with Oman now becomes the insurgents’ main access to the outside world. Coalition military spokesman, Saudi Brig. Gen. Ahmed Asiri, told reporters in Riyadh on Monday that the naval blockade would “prevent weapons and fighters from entering or leaving Yemen.” (Christian Science Monitor, 30 March)

Meanwhile, the airstrikes over Yemen continued. Gen. Asiri said the airstrikes focused on slowing Houthi advance on Aden. The Huthis and security forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh had launched a fresh offensive against Yemen, shelling it and battling local militias loyal to President Hadi, known as Popular Committees, but were pushed back by airstrikes. They are now positioned 30 kilometers (19 miles) east of Aden. (CSM, 30 March)

A series of airstrikes also targeted fighter jets, air defense systems and SCUD missile launch pads in Sanaa. Later the strikes hit weapons depot on the Faj Attan mountain overlooking Sanaa, causing the explosions of SCUD missiles and sending balls of fire into the sky.

The Houthi-run TV network said the coalition bombed a displaced persons camp in the northern rebel stronghold of Saada, killing 40 people, including women and children. The Associated Press quoted witnesses, however, who said the camp was from an earlier conflict in the country that ended five years ago and was now being occupied by Houthi forces. It was not yet possible to resolve the conflicting account.

Photo credit: Saudi-led coalition airstrikes destroyed SCUD missile depot on the Faj Attan mountain overlooking Sanaa, sending balls of fire into the sky; 30 March 2015 (Reuters)

Iran Promises A Year’s Worth of Oil to Yemen’s Houthis

Iran will provide the Houthis with oil for the next year, a Houthi delegation returning from a two-week visit to Tehran announced. The delegation was headed by Saleh al-Samad, the president of the political wing of the Houthis. (Saba/MEE, 13 March)

Iran-backed Houthi militia seized power by force in Sanaa and dissolved the parliament in February. Houthi’s Revolutionary Committee president Mohammed Ali al-Houthi is now the de-facto ruler in Sanaa. But Yemeni president Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi eventually escaped to southern Yemen, and has formed his own parallel government in Aden.

Iranian decision to supply oil to the Huthis comes after Tehran began direct daily commercial flights to Sanaa, expected to facilitate the transfer of arms, equipment and cash to the Houthis to maintain control of Sanaa and northern Yemen.

The political situation in the country is getting tense. The World Bank announced on Friday that it was halting its activities in Yemen over security fears after Houthi militiamen opened fire on a pro-Hadi rally attended by thousands of people in the central city of Baida on Thursday, killing two protesters. Meanwhile, the UN special envoy to Yemen warned of a civil war in the country.

“If there is no agreement (between the two competing governments), the prospects are very bleak,” Jamal Benomar, UN special advisor on Yemen, told Aljazeera. (MEE, 13 March)

On Wednesday, the Houthis rejected a call for talks between the two governments to begin in Riyadh, saying the Saudis were not a neutral actor in the discussion on the country’s future.

South Yemen could potentially break away from Sanaa. It was an independent Communist state between 1967 to 1990, with Aden as its capital, when it reunited with the north. Hadi, a southerner himself, has so far blocked calls for secession. But with two competing governments in Sanaa and Aden, the impoverished country is rapidly polarized raising fears of a wider conflict in near future.

Photo credit: Pro-Houthi supporters shout anti-Western and anti-Saudi slogans during a rally in Sanaa; March 2015 (AFP)

Iran’s Mahan Air Launches Flights to Sanaa

Iran’s Mahan Air on Sunday launched its first flight from Tehran to Sanaa under an agreement signed on Saturday between Iran and the Huthi-controlled Yemeni government in Sanaa, the Iranian media reported. Iran has provided the Huthis with material support during their successful takeover of the Yemeni capital. Direct Mahan flight to Sanaa would facilitate the transfer of arms and equipment to the Huthis.

File photo: Mahan Air (saba.net)

Houthi security at Yemeni Air Force base in Sana’a

Above: recent photo of a Yemeni Air Force Mikoyan MiG-29 multirole fighter of 9th Squadron, following a reported runway overshoot at Sana'a International Airport (OYSN) due to drag chute failure.

Perhaps the more interesting detail is this photograph's evidence of pro-Iran Houthi militamen seen performing security duties at the Yemeni Air Force base section of Sana'a International Airport.

Both the Yemeni Air Force and Islamic Republic of Iran Air Force operate Mikoyan MiG-29 multirole fighter aircraft.

On a somewhat related note, during the past week this photo emerged of pro-Iran Houthi militamen in possession of Yemeni military 2K12 Kub (NATO: SA-6 "Gainful") mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems.

Both Yemen and Iran's militaries operate the 2K12 Kub SAM system.

Recently, Iranian and Houthi leaders have made public statements to the effect that Yemen under the control of Ansarallah has joined the Iran-led "Axis of Resistence."

Is Iran now in control of Yemen's Air Force?

Above: file photo of YAF Mikoyan MiG-29SMT multirole fighters of 9th Squadron, Sana'a Intl (SAH / OYSN)

Rumors are currently swirling of effective Iranian control of the Yemeni Air Force (YAF), following news of Ansarullah forces besieging the residence of Yemeni defense minister as well as the the YAF headquarters in Sanaa. It is said YAF is in a state of mutiny, refusing to undertake air operations against AQAP

There are reports in Aden Post that Iranian crews and technicians have been sent to Sanaa International Airport, as effective safeguards of YAF air assets. There is even concern YAF Mikoyan MiG-29 fighters are to be sent to Iran for safekeeping, using Iranian crews.

An open source partial ORBAT for YAF can be reviewed HERE. There exists an extraordinary level of aircraft type service commonality among Iran's air force and army aviation branches,  and YAF.

File photo of Yemenia Ilyushin Il-76TD transport aircraft operated by YAF crews from 115th Squadron, at Sana'a International Airport.

Houthi militiamen, observed better equipped & organized

Above: Houthi militiamen seen outfitted in new Yemen Army issue digital camouflage BDUs and Yemen Army issue boots. Observed 14OCT14 at Sanaa, Yemen.

Houthi security enforcing perimeter around coffins of persons killed by SVIED attack carried out by AQAP. Houthi security seen outfitted in Yemen law enforcement issue high visibility vests. Observed 14OCT14 at Sanaa, Yemen.

Houthi militiaman seen outfitted in new Yemen Police issue uniform, including BDUs, boots and beret. Note Houthi slogan sticker attached to magazine of AK-type assault rifle. Observed 08OCT14 at Sanaa, Yemen.

Houthi appear to have integrated into or supplanted Yemen Army and police ranks in the capital city. This is a core source of contention for Saudi Arabia towards Iran as seen earlier this week in the diplomatic spat made public between the two countries, with Saudi Arabia identifying Iran as a cause of Houthi military and political ascendancy currently taking effect in parts of Yemen.

Houthi militiamen as they appeared on 22SEP14 upon their takeover of Yemen Army First Armored Division military compound near Sanaa, Yemen.

Houthi capture of Yemen Army T-55 medium tank, observed 22SEP14 near Sanaa, Yemen

Houthi capture of Yemen Army T-55 medium tank, observed 22SEP14 near Sanaa, Yemen

Houthi capture of Yemen Army BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicle, observed 22SEP14 near Sanaa, Yemen

Houthi capture of battle-damaged Yemen Army REVA 4x4 MKII armored personnel carrier 

Houthi fighters in Ibb, Yemen, dated 15OCT14. Fighter at right seen outfitted in Yemen Army issue 3-Color DCU type field jacket.

Photos: Khaled Abdullah at Reuters and Hani Mohammed at Associated Press

Revolution in Yemen

Large parts of Yemen’s capital Sanaa have been taken over by Houthi rebels. The leader of Houthi insurgents, Abdel Malik al-Houthi, described the takeover as a “successful revolution.” The rebels have taken over key government buildings in the capital, including the country’s central bank, and several military bases.

Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi has signed a power-sharing agreement with the rebels, who had called for the “corrupt” government to quit. Rebel leader al-Houti called the agreement a “victory for all the people.” He said the accord will lead to fuel price cuts and economic reforms.

Former longtime Yemeni strongman Ali Abdullah Saleh was ousted from power amid popular Arab Spring protests in 2011. Now the Houthi insurgents are moving against Islah Party forces, the largest opposition party in the country, searching for and arresting their leaders, to consolidate their position as the sole functioning opposition force. Years of unrest following 2011 ouster of Saleh have also contributed to the rise of Al Qaeda-affiliated militants in the country.

The Houthi tribesmen are predominantly Zaidi Shia, who like the mainstream Shias believe in Imamate, but otherwise are close to Sunni traditions of Islam, and unique to Yemen. Iran’s Quds Force has actively supported the Houthi insurgents since their uprisings against the government in 2011. The Islah (“Reform”) Party is a coalition of Islamist groups, including the Muslim Brotherhood, and their leader Mohammad Qahtan is considered a moderate Islamist. The party, an unorthodox alliance, also encompasses Islamic extremists and tribesmen.

Photo credit: Houthi insurgents in Yemeni capital of Sanaa (Sky News)