ADEN // Dozens of UAE military vehicles manned by resistance fighters arrived in Lahj province from Aden on Sunday, paving the way for pro-government forces to advance deeper into two mountain areas which fell into the hands of the Houthi rebels last week.
The popular resistance pressed deeper into the mountains of Thi Ahdah and Bakheetah and seized the rebels' weapons, as military reinforcements – including armoured vehicles manned by Yemeni fighters – arrived from Aden, a spokesman for the Lahj provincial government, Basem Al Zuraiqi told The National.
The military reinforcements from the UAE were on their way to the strategic Al Anad military airbase, Mr Al Zuraiqi said. They will be participating in the battle for Lahj province on three fronts – one in Al Madhareba, another in Karesh, and the third near Al Wazeyah in Taez province, he said.
Fierce clashes continued in Madharebah district between the Houthis and the southern resistance on Sunday.
“The clashes became more violent since yesterday night ... dozens of fighters have been killed and injured in this fighting,” he said.
In Taez province, forces loyal to President Abdrabu Mansur Hadi called for young men to join the battle to stop the rbels taking control of the strategic Al Shimayateen district, through which the Houthis could send military reinforcements to Lahj. The district borders Lahj’s Al Maqatirah district, most of which is under the control of the Houthis.
"When the resistance fighters are fighting in their home turf, they will be stronger than fighting in other areas, so the resistance asked the young men in Al Shimayateen to join them and prevent their district from falling into the hands of the rebels, as the Houthis are approaching quickly," said Moa'ath Al Yaseri, the leader of the popular resistance in Taez province.
Resistance fighters grouped in Al Shimayateen after the Houthis advanced in several rural areas in Taez city and took over the neighbouring district of Nagd Qusaim.
Mr Al Yaseri said there were more than 30,000 resistance fighters in Taez.
After the resistance built a road through the rural areas to break the rebel siege on Taez city, the Houthis managed to block the road with the help of local Houthi leaders in Taez, which is why the resistance wants local fighters from these rural areas, Mr Al Yaseri said.
“Dozens have been killed in the fighting during the last 24 hours from both sides, and more Houthis have been killed by the air strikes that targeted them in several areas in Taez,” Mr Al Yaseri added.
On Sunday morning, dozens of resistance fighters from Al Turbah area joined the resistance in Al Shimayateen, where they started setting up new checkpoints in the main road that connects Taez with Lahj and Aden provinces.
Mr Al Yaseri said the resistance wants the residents in Taez province to prevent their own areas from falling but only some have joined the battle.
“If the people of each area can prevent the Houthis from advancing, this will be the first step of liberation,” he said.
Also on Sunday, prime minister Khaled Bahah visited Socotra province with some of his ministers in the aftermath of two hurricanes, the government-run Saba news agency reported.
“The government is aware of the suffering of the Yemenis in different provinces,” Mr Bahah said.
Government spokesperson Rajeh Badi told local media the Mr Bahah and his ministers would also be visiting Al Dhale and Marib provinces.
foreign.desk@thenational.ae
