| Submit your comments on this article |
| Arabia |
| Coalition forces prepare for massive attack in Sanaa |
| 2015-10-21 |
| Analysts and military experts predicted that the ground battles in Yemen will be extensively escalating before the start of potential negotiations between the Houthi militias and the Yemen's government. The Aden Time news website quoted sources that the coalition forces are preparing for a massive land attack to in the Yemeni capital Sanaa to capture it from the Houthis and forces loyal to deposed president Ali Abdullah Saleh. The sources affirmed that the Houthis are trying hard to keep its remaining forces and its pro-Saleh forces away from such a major strike. A large number of Houthis and pro-Saleh forces have been seen leaving their strongholds in Sanaa or surrendering themselves so as to avoid an imminent onslaught, sources said. Meanwhile, around 500 Mauritanian military troops are reportedly gearing up to join Saudi Arabia-led military coalition in Yemen to combat Houthi rebels, military sources have told an African newspaper. "Soldiers of the armed forces who are ready to be sent to Saudi Arabia, completed over the past weeks their military training at Atar military school located in the centre of the country," the sources told the North Africa Post. The newspaper said that the information emerged as Saudi Deputy Defence Minister Muhammad Bin Abdallah Al Ayesh visited the Mauritanian capital this week. He also met Mauritania President Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz. The Saudi official also met the Mauritanian Minister of Defence and the Chief of the army Mohamed Ould Cheikh Mohamed Ahmed to discuss modalities related to the operation. Hundreds of Sudanese troops have also arrived in Yemen to bolster Saudi Arabia's campaign against Houthi rebels. About 700 Sudanese soldiers arrived by sea in Yemen's southern port city of Aden, which is under coalition control, the Al Masdar news website reported. Abdullah Hamud, a witness and resident, said by phone that he saw Sudanese troops in armoured and military vehicles driving in the city. The coalition is trying to reinstate the government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, which crumbled after rebels overtook the capital, Sanaa, last year. The coalition recaptured Aden in July and has made ground advances, but Sanaa and other regions remain under Houthi control. |
| Posted by:Steve White |