SANAA (Dispatches) – Yemeni forces have made new advances on Ma’rib city, the last stronghold of the Saudi-backed militants in north Yemen, amid fierce battles in the oil-rich province this week.
The Yemeni forces seized the district of Jabal Murad peacefully late Wednesday, following the withdrawal of tribal fighters and Saudi-backed militants. Jabal Murad was the last line of defense for neighboring Al-Juba district, at the border of which battles are currently ongoing, bringing Yemen’s Ansarullah fighters and their allies in the Yemeni army closer to the nearby Ma’rib city.
Yemen’s armed forces spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Sarie confirmed that their troops took over both Al-Juba and Jabal Murad districts, adding that the Murad tribe, one of the most powerful tribes in Yemen, had played a major role in their latest advances.
Sarie said that the objective is to capture Ma’rib city, which the Yemeni forces have almost encircled, vowing to secure its residents and their properties.
Fighting is also underway on Al-Kasarah front, west of the city, as Ansarullah fighters and their allies try to advance to areas beyond Al-Juba.
Saudi-backed sources confirmed that Ansarullah and their allies had advanced in Jabal Murad district peacefully after tribesmen joined them in the battles.
“Tribal fighters from the Murad tribe were leading the battles against the Houthis in Jabal Murad district, but they have disappointed us and joined the Houthis,” one source told the Middle East Eye, referring to Ansarullah fighters. “In one night they changed from allies to fighters with the Houthis.”
The shift in the tribe’s alliance has affected the morale of Saudi-backed forces.
“The Houthis are now getting nearer to Marib city and we don’t know if they will have another agreement with the tribes or not,” the source said.
The Saudi-led coalition said it targeted advancing Yemeni forces in Ma’rib with 22 airstrikes on Thursday, allegedly killing 95 fighters.
Saudi Arabia has been conducting a fierce air campaign since October 11 to prevent the Yemeni forces from reaching Ma’rib city.
According to local reports, tribal leaders have arrived in the capital Sanaa, which the Ansarullah movement has held since 2015, to talk about a peaceful takeover of Ma’rib city, under the conditions of maintaining the properties of civilians and amnesty to fighters who fought against the Yemeni forces.
Jaber, a resident of Ma’rib, said that the Ansarullah fighters and their allies are now near the road that leads to Safer oil field, and if they advance they will either move on the city or towards Safer, where the wealth of Ma’rib is located.
“If the Houthis go towards Safer that means they will take over Ma’rib’s wealth, the main source of income for the province,” he added.
“In all cases, I don’t think there will be battles in the city and I believe if the Houthis advance towards the city there will be a peaceful resolution. If battles do take place in the city, a disaster will ensue in Ma’rib.”