Arab Coalition Seize Iranian Boat Carrying Weapons

14 Sailors Arrested

The Saudi/UAE-led coalition announced today the capture of an Iranian dhow carrying weapons last Saturday near Oman’s southeastern coast of Salalah, seizing a number of rockets and missiles, anti-tank missiles, armor-piercing shells, and weapon guidance systems. 14 sailors aboard the ship were also arrested. The boat was registered under an Iranian citizen’s name for fishing purposes. (Al Arabiya, 30 September)

“The type of weapons that were recovered on Saturday confirms Iran’s desire and intention to interfere in the war in Yemen,” said Saudi Brig. Gen. Ahmed al-Assiri, the coalition’s spokesman. (Al Hadath, 30 September)

There were no immediate comments from the Iranians. Iran has in the past tried to ship weapons directly to the Houthis in Yemen, but was prevented by coalition forces from entering Yemeni ports. If the details of today’s report are accurate, it shows Iran is shipping arms to Oman for possible land transfer to Yemen.

Photo credit: An Iranian shipping dhow seized near Omani coast of Salalah (Al Arabiyah) 
  

Yemen: Mareb Update

Saudi/UAE-led Popular Resistance forces claimed to have made strategic gains in eastern Mareb on Friday after fierce battles in Nakhla area in the oil-rich province with Houthi and pro-Saleh forces, Asharq Al-Awasat reported today.

“Fighting continued for more than three hours and different types of heavy weapons were employed in addition to aerial bombardment,” a source told the Pan-Arab newspaper.

AFP today also quoted a coalition official as saying that the offensive in Mareb province is making “slow but steady” progress.

Meanwhile, Saudi-led coalition intensified air raids on Sanaa on Friday, hitting a Republican Guard base and a military depot in south and west of capital.   

Photo credit: A UAE/Saudi-led coalition military vehicle drives through rocky terrain during an offensive against Houthi positions in Mareb province; 15 September 2015 (EPA/Asraq Al-Awsat)

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

Yemen’s Exiled Government: No Talks Until Houthis Withdraw

Arab-led Coalition Launch Major Offensive in Mareb

President Hadi’s exiled government said today it will not participate in UN-brokered peace talks later this week unless the Houthis, Ansar Allah, accept the UN Security Council Resolution 2216, which calls on the Houthis to withdraw from territories they’ve captured since last September, including the capital Sanaa.

The Houthis and their allies, former president Saleh, who ruled over Yemen for 33 years before being forced from power in 2012, and army units still loyal to him, have so far not accepted the UN resolution and continue their hold on some of the territories they had captured, including Sanaa. Since then, a Saudi/UAE-led anti-Houthi coalition has pushed them out of southern provinces, including the post city of Aden. Hadi’s government, however, had said on Friday it would attend the UN meeting in Muscat, Oman, but are now the start of the talks is contingent on Houthi acceptance of UNSC resolution.   

Meanwhile, the news agencies are reporting that Saudi/UAE-led collation forces launched a major offensive with 12,000 fighters against the Houthi/Saleh forces in Mareb province to break the Houthi siege of Mareb city and push them out of the province. Mareb lies 200 km (125 miles) east of Sanaa, on a major highway linking the city to the capital. The control of Mareb by coalition forces will be one of the biggest defeats for the Houthis in the yearlong civil war.

Photo credit: Taez during clashes between Yemeni exiled government and Houthi forces; 9 September 2015 (@Ahmad al-Bash/AFP/France24)

Egypt Deploys Ground Forces to Yemen

As many as 800 Egyptian soldiers arrived in Yemen late on Tuesday, Reuters reported today. This is the first reported deployment of ground forces by Egypt in the Yemeni conflict. Four Egyptian Army companies, each with 150-200 troops, along with tanks and armored vehicles were deployed, Egyptian security sources told the news agency.

On Monday, Qatar also announced the deployment of 1,000 troops along with 200 armored vehicles and 30 Apache combat helicopters to Yemen. The Qataris and Egyptians will join forces in a coalition with Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Bahrain to fight the Houthi-Saleh alliance to retake the territories captured by the insurgents.

Yemeni officials had put the number of troops from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain to more than 2,000 (Reuters, 9 September). With the deployment of the Egyptian troops that number has now increased to around 3,000. A few thousands of Yemeni militia fighters trained by the Saudis had also been deployed to Yemen. These forces join local militia and tribal fighters in a coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE in the war against Houthi/Saleh alliance, which is backed by Iran.

UPDATE: An unnamed Egyptian official told a local TV channel that Reuters report on Egypt deploying up to 800 troops to Yemen is incorrect. 

File photo: Egyptian troops; Cairo, November 2014 (Mohamed Abd El Ghany/Reuters)

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

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.

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)

Yemen Pro-Government Forces Retake Zinjibar

UAE-led pro-government forces today recaptured Yemeni southern provincial capital of Zinjabar from the Houthi insurgents and their allies. Zinjibar had been held by troops of the 15^th Brigade that remained loyal to the deposed president Saleh who is allied with the Houthis.

Troops entered the coastal towm, 50 kilimeters (30 miles) east of Aden, after overrunning the brigade’s barracks outside with support from Saudi-led airstrikes, AFP reported today.

Zinjibar is the third southern provincial capital to be recaptured by pro-government forces. They secured Aden in mid-July and Lahj provincial capital of Huta on 4 August. Pro-government forces have also retaken Al Anad airbase, Yemen's largest military base.

Photo credit: UAE-led pro-government forces advancing toward Zinjibar (Reuters)

Arab Coalition-led Fighters Recapture Al-Anad Military Base, Yemen’s Largest

Pro-government Popular Resistance fighters, supported by UAE armored units and troops and Saudi-led airstrikes, recaptured Al-Anad airbase, the country largest military base, after heavy combat with Houthi insurgents who had taken the base earlier this year, Reuters quoting a government commander, reported today.

“The national army and the Popular Resistance have completed control of Al-Anad military and air base,” said Brig. Gen. Fadel Hassan. (Reuters/Arab News, 3 August)  

The recapture of Al-Anad provides a strategic base of operation for the Arab coalition and opens up the road north to the city of Taiz, Yemen’s third largest, where Houthi insurgents and pro-government fighters have been locked in combat.

Earlier today, images posted on the Twitter showed a column of UAE’s LeClerc main battle tanks and BMP armored vehicles, including M-ATVs, deployed in a port in Aden and heading toward Al-Anad. There were also reports of 3,000 Arab coalitions troops deployed in Aden today.

Photo credit: Image posted on Twitter showing a column of UAE tanks heading toward Al-Anad military base after being deployed in a port in Aden (Twitter/@saikhamk, 3 August)

Arab Coalition Deploys 3,000 Troops in Yemen

The Arab coalition has deployed 3,000 troops and battle tanks in Aden, Defense News reported. Images posted on Twitter in the past 24 hours show UAE’s LeClerc main battle tanks and BMP armored vehicle, including M-ATVs, being offloaded on to a port in Aden. Images also show UAE armor units reportedly on their way to Al Anad air base, north of Aden. The Arab coalition-led Popular Resistance forces have surrounded Al Anad for the past week and with the arrival of UAE armored units could now move to capture the strategic airbase, Yemen’s largest.

Photo credit: Twitter images of UAE tanks and armored vehicles deployed in Yemen (Twitter/@saikhamk, 3 August)

Changing Dynamics of Yemeni Conflict



The loss of the strategic port of Aden by the Houthis in the space of just a few days is a spectacular manifestation that the tide of Yemen’s war has unexpectedly turned, handing a morale boost and possibly military momentum to Gulf Arab-led coalition, Reuters reported today.

Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, a political scientist in the UAE, told Reuters that Gulf Arab states saw Yemen as “proving ground” for their “resolve to confront Tehran,” and last week’s capture of Aden proved they “could hold their own.”

“We are ready to defend our turf,” Abdulla added. (Reuters, 23 July)

Meanwhile, diplomats and Yemeni politicians tell Reuters that representatives of former president Saleh, whose army loyalists laid siege to Aden in alliance with the Houthis in March and April, are negotiating with diplomats from the UAE in Oman. If successful, the development could change the dynamic of the conflict in Yemen against the Houthis and in favor of Gulf Arab-backed resistance and pro-government forces.

Photo credit: A Saudi military cargo plane at Aden International Airport; 22 July 2015 (Al Arabiya)

Saudi Military Cargo Plane Lands at Aden Airport

A Saudi military cargo plane landed at Aden International Airport on Wednesday, carrying arms for Saudi/UAE-backed Southern Resistance (anti-Houthi) militias. This was the first flight to reach Aden in four months.

“A Saudi military plane landed at Aden airport this afternoon carrying weapons and military assistance to the popular resistance forces, in the first flight there since 25 March,” an airport told Reuters today.

Meanwhile, the militia said they were advancing toward Anad air base, Yemen’s largest, 60 km (40 miles) north of Aden to link up with other anti-Houthi fighters nearing the military base from its northern end.

Pre-government militias heavily aided by Saudi-led airstrikes and UAE ground forces, this week retook Aden from the Houthis and their allies, forces loyal to former president Saleh.

Photo credit: Saudi military cargo plane landed at Aden International Airport (above), and military equipment unloaded for Southern Resistance (anti-Houthi) militias; 22 July 2015 (Twitter/@Joyce_Karam)