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170 reported dead in two weeks of fighting in Marib

Published on 21 April 2015 in News
Yemen Times Staff (author)

Yemen Times Staff


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Yemen Times staff

SANA'A, April 20— Local government claims fighting in Marib governorate has left at least 170 killed in the previous two weeks, almost all of whom are said to be Houthi fighters and soldiers from allied military units. 

Clashes between Houthi forces and tribal militias backed by the 132nd Armored Brigade began in Sirwah district, in the west of Marib, on April 2. Fighting has since spread to the neighboring district of Al-Gida’an, and to Nihm district in Sana’a governorate. 

According to Mohammed Al-Gadasi, the deputy spokesperson for Marib governorate, 150 men fighting with the Houthis and another 27 tribesmen have been killed as of Sunday. 

Al-Gadasi told the Yemen Times that main roads connecting the governorates of Marib and Sana’a are under tribal control and that Sirwah district had been cleared of Houthi fighters and their allies, who he said are still in control of neighboring A’al Hajran area. 

“The tribesmen prepared for this war five months ago, and they have dozens of tanks and hundreds of military vehicles, in addition to 35,000 armed men spread along the borders of the governorate.” said Al-Gadasi.

Mohammed Al-Noua’a, a Houthi spokesperson in Marib governorate, said fighting continued but was unable to provide a number of casualties for either side. He denied that Houthi fighters or their military allies had been pushed back from Sirwah district. 

A power station damaged by fighting in Al-Geda’an has been out of service since April 12. A 24-hour ceasefire came into effect on Sunday evening to allow engineers to make repairs, said Al-Noua’a, but the station remains inoperative. 

Speaking with the Yemen Times on Monday, Sheikh Saleh bin Ianjaf, a tribal leader based in the areas of Naklah and Al-Sahail, said Houthi forces were being dislodged from their positions in the governorate. 

“We will reclaim the areas taken by Houthis — we are now trying to get control of Mas camp,” he said, referring to Al-Mas military base in Medghil Al-Jedaan district, which has been under Houthi control since November of 2014. 

 


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