Yemeni army troops, backed by allied fighters from Popular Committees, have taken full control of a strategic area in the country’s northern province of Hajjah close to the border with Saudi Arabia.
Military sources, requesting anonymity, told Yemen News Portal website that Yemeni soldiers and allied fighters established control over al-Hathera area in the Harad district on Thursday, after they exchanged heavy gunfire with Saudi-paid militants.
The sources said Yemeni army troops and Popular Committees fighter also captured a military camp in the area, which housed Saudi mercenaries of Sudanese origin.
The development came a day after Yemeni forces fired ballistic missiles at a military base of the Saudi Arabia-led coalition in Hajjah province, killing 10 Sudanese soldiers.
“The missiles struck the units of Sudanese troops, who are part of the Saudi-led coalition, in Hajjah province near the border with Saudi Arabia,” a local military source said on condition of anonymity.
“A total of 10 Sudanese soldiers were killed and more than 25 others injured in Hajjah’s district of Midi.”
Meanwhile, Yemen’s al-Masirah television network said Saudi warplanes had carried out eight air raids against the Harad district in the country’s northwestern province of Hajjah. Saudi jets also bombed the Hayran district.
Warplanes launched six airstrikes on al-Ajasher desert area close to Saudi Arabia’s southern region of Najran as well. There were no immediate reports about possible casualties and the extent of damage caused.
