Yemeni govt forces claim gains against Houthis in Taiz

By Mohammed al-Samei

TAIZ, Yemen (AA) – Government forces have reportedly made gains against Houthi rebels in Taiz province in southwestern Yemen.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency on Wednesday, Army Colonel Abdo Hamoud al-Saghir said government forces and allied fighters gained ground in the strategic Kadha district in Taiz after battles with Houthi rebels.

There was no comment from the Houthi group on the claim.

By controlling the Kadha district, government forces will be able to secure the main road between the cities of Taiz and Al-Turba, which leads to the southern city of Aden.

Yemen fell into civil war in 2014, when Houthi rebels and allied forces of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh overran capital Sanaa and other parts of the country.

The conflict escalated a year later when Saudi Arabia and its Arab allies launched a major air campaign aimed at reversing Houthi gains and shoring up Yemen’s pro-Saudi government.

According to UN, 11.3 percent of Yemen’s population has been forcibly displaced by the conflict.