Yemeni army seeking to tighten control of Hajjah and Hodeidah

The army of Yemen’s internationally recognized government and Popular Resistance units are planning to tighten their grip over the northwestern province of Hajjah and advance south to the coastal Hodeidah province after making gains, the army said.

Brigadier General Omar Sajjaf said that government forces are preparing to advance towards new areas after receiving reinforcements, according to Al Arabiya News Channel.

Several areas in Hajjah province are still controlled by the Iran-backed Houthis and forces loyal to ousted former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, although government forces are seeking to dislodge the militias with the backing of the Saudi-led coalition.

Coalition fighter jets launched intensive raids on militia positions in Sanaa and other Yemeni provinces, targeting a camp south of the capital Sanaa, in addition to a gathering of military members and vehicles. The strikes reportedly killed and wounded dozens of militias.

In the southwestern province of Taiz, Popular Resistant units said dozens of militia gunmen were killed and wounded after shelling from the Arab coalition.

This article was first published on the Arabic website of Al Arabiya News Channel on Feb. 28, 2016.