SANA’A -- Ansarullah-aligned Yemeni forces were on the verge of securing a strategic arrangement in Ta'izz on Sunday, with field commanders and tribal leaders finalizing negotiations for the city's liberation as Saudi-backed forces withdrew.

Sana'a's health ministry condemned a Saudi drone strike that wounded civilians in the same governorate and Yemen's military announced fresh retaliatory operations against Saudi and Aden-based targets.

Field commanders of the Yemeni armed forces and tribal leaders in Ta'izz have reached an advanced stage of negotiations aimed at the city's full liberation, with the withdrawal of Saudi-affiliated forces proceeding in parallel, according to local sources.

They said the positive trajectory of the talks has prompted concern in some Persian Gulf capitals, including Doha, which are reportedly attempting to introduce "diplomatic initiatives" to disrupt the tribal track. 

The health ministry of the Sana'a-based government said in a statement that a Saudi-operated drone struck the Akamat Haish area of Al-Masrakh district in Ta'izz on Sunday, wounding four citizens including a woman.

The ministry also reported that a citizen was killed and five others wounded in separate strikes on Ta'izz and Sa’ada, and condemned the Saudi enemy's persistence in depriving Yemenis of safe healthcare.

Yemeni military spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree said in a statement on Sunday that the Saudi enemy had launched 56 airstrikes and missile attacks over the previous 24 hours, targeting civilian sites in Hajjah, Lahj, Amran, Sa'ada, Al-Jawf, Ta'izz and Ibb, using F-15 and Typhoon aircraft from Khamis Mushait and Taif airbases alongside missile strikes from Najran.

Saree said the total number of Saudi airstrikes and missile attacks since the beginning of the escalation had reached 3,179. Saudi aircraft also launched a strike on the Al-Athawir sub-district in Hayfan district, Ta'izz, on Sunday.

Saree separately announced that Yemeni forces had carried out seven qualitative military operations against Saudi territory with ballistic missiles and drones, targeting King Khalid Airport in Riyadh in two phases, Aramco facilities in Yanbu, the Rabigh refinery, crude oil pumping stations and the East-West pipeline, King Fahd International Airport in Dammam, Najran airport and Khamis Mushait airbase.

He said the strikes were precise and that navigation at Dammam airport was disrupted.

In Aden, Saree said Yemeni forces targeted Saudi enemy mobilizations at Al-Nasr camp and the naval military base, which he said was supervised by Saudi officers.

Local residents reported four successive explosions in different parts of the city, one at Aden International Airport, one near Aden port, one at Al-Solban camp and one near the coast guard headquarters in Al-Tawahi.

The reported negotiations follow significant battlefield shifts in Ta'izz. On Sunday, the health ministry's condemnation of the drone strike came as the city's fate appeared increasingly tied to the tribal talks rather than military escalation.

Earlier in the week, it was reported that Sana'a forces had advanced inside Ta'izz city using a gradual approach across neighborhoods, while the Islah party sought Omani mediation to secure a power-sharing arrangement and protect its leadership.

A separate report described Sana'a forces documenting the capture of Jabal Han, a strategic mountain overlooking Ta'izz's western front, and the routing of Saudi-aligned militants from fortified positions, placing large areas of the city under direct fire control.

In a separate development, Al-Masirah broadcast exclusive footage on Sunday revealing details of a fortified underground Saudi military base at the Marra camp in Shabwa province, between Ataq and Nisab districts.

The base, spanning more than four square kilometers, includes underground facilities linked by tunnel networks, barracks, logistics facilities, aircraft hangars, a newly constructed airstrip, fortified weapons depots and electronic surveillance and jamming systems.

The footage documented a Saudi National Day celebration inside the base attended by Brigadier General Musleh al-Otaibi, identified as the base commander and Saudi military governor of Shabwa, his deputy Brigadier General Sultan al-Jash, and staff officers responsible for planning, operations, intelligence, supply and communications.

Fawzi al-Saadi, described as commander of the so-called Shabwa Defense Forces, also appeared alongside the Saudi leadership.

The Saudi contingent was estimated at around 150 officers and soldiers, operating under a joint command structure linked to Sharurah and a new command structure at the Saudi Defense Ministry in Riyadh headed by Fahd al-Salman.