Yemenis walk past historic buildings in the old quarter of Sanaa, Yemen, on February 28, 2018. Yahya Arhab / EPA
Yemenis walk past historic buildings in the old quarter of Sanaa, Yemen, on February 28, 2018. Yahya Arhab / EPA
Yemenis walk past historic buildings in the old quarter of Sanaa, Yemen, on February 28, 2018. Yahya Arhab / EPA
Yemenis walk past historic buildings in the old quarter of Sanaa, Yemen, on February 28, 2018. Yahya Arhab / EPA

Yemeni army advances in Al Bayda, Taez and Nehim


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The Yemeni army – with air support by an Arab coalition – has seized back from the Houthi rebels several areas on Saturday, said officials.

Brig Saleh Al Mansoori, commander at the front of the Natea province, said troops loyal to the internationally recognised government of President Abdrabu Mansur Hadi “liberated the strategic Al Bayda mountain range in the Natea district” south-east of the capital Sanaa.

“Our forces were able to entirely secure Natea and advanced to liberate Al Fadha in Al Malagem district, south of Al Bayda, amid ongoing clashes in which at least 30 Houthi militants were killed and dozens were injured,” he said, according to the Media Centre of the Armed Forces.

He said that 12 members of the Iran-backed Houthi militia were arrested.

Meanwhile, in Taez province, Yemeni troops advanced along the Maqbana front in the south of the country, where they seized back from the rebels Al Hamam mountain range and Al Rahnaka area.

"The army advanced towards Al Ayar mountain in the strategic area of Maqbana, which links Taez and Al Hodeidah and Al Moca in the western coast of Yemen," Col Abdelbaset Al Baher, a Yemeni army spokesman, told The National in a phone call.

He said that at least 15 Houthi fighters were killed and five were injured in fierce clashes.

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Read more

Yemen's Houthis order arrest of 50 deserters along Red Sea coast

Yemeni army scores crucial gain northeast of rebel-held Sanaa

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On the Nehim front lines north-east of Sanaa – which is still under Houthi control – fierce clashes between the Yemeni army and the rebels are continuing.

The military-run 26September news website quoted a source as saying that two high-ranking Houthi officers – identified as Ali Hameed Ali Al Geez and Yehya Abdullah Al Rezami – were killed in Nehim and Arhab in clashes that have been raging for three days.

Yemeni army spokesman Nasser Al Redhami said the Saudi-led coalition – which includes the UAE – has launched strikes over the weekend targeting weapons caches that belong to the Houthis near the coastal city of Al Hodeidah.

The Arab coalition intervened in 2015.

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2012-2015

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What's in the deal?

Agreement aims to boost trade by £25.5bn a year in the long run, compared with a total of £42.6bn in 2024

India will slash levies on medical devices, machinery, cosmetics, soft drinks and lamb.

India will also cut automotive tariffs to 10% under a quota from over 100% currently.

Indian employees in the UK will receive three years exemption from social security payments

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Sheer grandeur

The Owo building is 14 storeys high, seven of which are below ground, with the 30,000 square feet of amenities located subterranean, including a 16-seat private cinema, seven lounges, a gym, games room, treatment suites and bicycle storage.

A clear distinction between the residences and the Raffles hotel with the amenities operated separately.

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Key figures in the life of the fort

Sheikh Dhiyab bin Isa (ruled 1761-1793) Built Qasr Al Hosn as a watchtower to guard over the only freshwater well on Abu Dhabi island.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Dhiyab (ruled 1793-1816) Expanded the tower into a small fort and transferred his ruling place of residence from Liwa Oasis to the fort on the island.

Sheikh Tahnoon bin Shakhbut (ruled 1818-1833) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further as Abu Dhabi grew from a small village of palm huts to a town of more than 5,000 inhabitants.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Shakhbut (ruled 1833-1845) Repaired and fortified the fort.

Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon (ruled 1845-1855) Turned Qasr Al Hosn into a strong two-storied structure.

Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa (ruled 1855-1909) Expanded Qasr Al Hosn further to reflect the emirate's increasing prominence.

Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan (ruled 1928-1966) Renovated and enlarged Qasr Al Hosn, adding a decorative arch and two new villas.

Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan (ruled 1966-2004) Moved the royal residence to Al Manhal palace and kept his diwan at Qasr Al Hosn.

Sources: Jayanti Maitra, www.adach.ae

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Install an air filter in your home.

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Founders: Marwan Chaar and Hassan Jaffar

Launched: 2017

Employees: 22

Based: Dubai and Muscat

Sector: Automobile retail

Funding to date: $5.5 million

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