Local Editor
The Houthi Ansarullah revolutionaries and Yemeni Army’s 48th Brigade of the Republican Guard on Friday captured the Ta’iz Prison after a prolonged battle with various militias and forces loyal to the Aden-based former President, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi.
Less than a year ago, some 1200 criminals, many of whom were linked to Ansar al-Shariah (Al-Qaeda in Yemen), fled this very same prison as security guards ran off due to firefights on the perimeter of the prison. In other news, Houthi forces shelled pro-Hadi troops with heavy artillery in the southwestern countryside of Ta’izz throughout the day as they seem to be lining up for an offensive in this area. Not long ago, the Republican Guard seized the harbor-town of Dhubab and secured the road which runs from this city onto Ta’izz.
For months, troops on both sides have attempted to capture Ta’iz city, which is the second largest in all of Yemen. However, neither faction has been able to deal the final blow and capture Ta’iz entirely as the Saudi fighter jets continues to carry out daily airstrikes on the city in support of the fragile Hadi-supply line that runs to Aden.
Meanwhile, heavy clashes are also taking place in the far east of the above-mentioned areas. Inside the contested Shabwah governorate in the center of Yemen, a huge battle was underway at Bayhan al-Qisab. Some 17 tanks, Hummers, BMB’s, and pick-up tricks were destroyed on Thursday as the allied forces have gone on the counter-offensive. In total, more than 50 casualties were reported due to the battle while skirmishes also took place at the village of Assaylan.
Current events at Ta’iz city hold huge strategic importance; if soldiers on either side capture the city, they will be able to push towards the opponent’s heartland and eventually, the capital. Arguably, whichever side is able to win the battle of Tai’zz once and for all - this faction will have the upper hand in the civil war of Yemen itself.
Sources: News Agencies, Edited by Website Team
