Arab Coalition raided strongholds of Houthi militias in Shabwa

Seventeen elements of Houthi militias have been killed during air raids from the Arab Coalition against the strongholds of Houthi militias and other forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh in Shabwa Governorate. A prominent leader of the Houthi-Saleh militias and four of his security personnel were killed on Saturday in an attack waged by the pro-government forces in al-Saq area of Usaylan district in western Shabwa province, southeastern Yemen.

Houthi prominent Leader Ahmed Saleh Dabash, Abu Hussein, was killed in an attack and artillery shelling by the forces of the 26th Infantry Brigade and al-Hazm battalion on their position in the al-Saq area.

The battles and shelling in Usaylan and Beihan fronts coincided with air raids by pro-legitimate government forces that targeted the positions and gatherings of the insurgents at “Akeed Soufa” site.

The attack also resulted in the damage of a military vehicle of the Houthi militants at a time when a series of violent explosions rocked the targeted sites and resulted in the death of at least six militants, according to military sources.

The source pointed out that violent clashes also broke out between the Popular Resistance and the Houthi-Saleh militiamen in Tewal al-Sadah fighting front in Usaylan, where battles have been flaring since weeks with no ground progress made by either side.

Spokesman for army forces in Brigade 19 in Usaylan Mutlaq al-Maaroufi told Asharq Al-Awsat that large military reinforcements have headed two days ago towards the battle fronts in the outskirts of the Directorate of Usaylan.

Maaroufi confirmed that the army forces in the three brigades, 19 infantry, 21 mika and 26 infantry, are seeking to regain control of militia-controlled positions and move according to the directives of the army’s top command.

Since the outbreak of the battles in Usaylan and Bihan fronts hundreds of militia militants have been killed, including senior military commanders close to Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, leader of the coup group. Also, about 500 soldiers from the popular resistance were killed and about 700 others were injured, according to official statistics in the 19th Brigade.

Al Qaeda militants claimed responsibility for a car bomb and gun attack on an army camp in southeastern Yemen early on Monday that killed at least 10 militants and two soldiers, according to a statement posted on Twitter. 

The attack, near the town of Baddah in oil-producing Hadramout province, came after a lull in attacks by the militant group's Yemeni affiliate, Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. Attackers set off two car bombs outside the camp, a military official said. Residents said they also heard gunfire after two loud explosions. 

"Our soldiers foiled the attack and managed to secure the camp and we are still pursuing those who have escaped in nearby farms," the official told Reuters by phone. In its statement, al Qaeda said several "elite" troops were killed and vehicles destroyed, and that one of its fighters died. 

Al Qaeda took advantage of years of turmoil to build up one of its most active branches in the impoverished Arabian Peninsula country.