Legitimacy Forces Liberate Khokha Town of Hodeidah, Yemen

A Yemeni soldier mans a machine gun mounted on a military truck near the Red Sea coast city of al-Mokha, Yemen January 23, 2017. REUTERS/Fawaz Salman
A Yemeni soldier mans a machine gun mounted on a military truck near the Red Sea coast city of al-Mokha, Yemen January 23, 2017. REUTERS/Fawaz Salman
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Legitimacy Forces Liberate Khokha Town of Hodeidah, Yemen

A Yemeni soldier mans a machine gun mounted on a military truck near the Red Sea coast city of al-Mokha, Yemen January 23, 2017. REUTERS/Fawaz Salman
A Yemeni soldier mans a machine gun mounted on a military truck near the Red Sea coast city of al-Mokha, Yemen January 23, 2017. REUTERS/Fawaz Salman

Yemen legitimate forces had taken full control of al-Khokha coastal city, in Hodeidah governorate, as part of a wide-range military operation launched by the forces towards the city from the southern side. This enabled the forces to take full control of the city and arrest 15 members of the Iran-backed Houthis militias.

In As-Silw axis, Yemeni legitimate forces succeeded in controlling al-Hawd area, where at least 15 Houthis were reportedly killed including Colonel Radwan Salah.

Earlier, field sources of the National Army confirmed that government forces managed to defeat Houthis on the west coast of Yemen, precisely north of Yakhtul area, and moved towards Az-Zahari area, as it advanced towards al-Khokha, south of Hodeidah.

Speaking to Asharq al-Awsat, the sources added that the legitimate forces advanced towards Harzine strategic mountain in the area of al-Hamli.

Observers believe that the death of Saleh will be a turning point against Houthis, whether in terms of pro-Saleh soldiers retreating from the fronts or joining the legitimacy in retaliation to the militia's betrayal of their leader.

In Taiz governorate, sources reported that government forces regained control over "al-Hawd, Tbab al-Safeh and al-Menya villages" north of the As-Silw directorate following fierce clashes where 11 Houthis were killed and injured.

Along with these developments, Saudi-led coalition launched a series of air strikes on militias on the outskirts of Mocha and various locations of Hajjah.

Another military source in Taiz told Asharq Al-Awsat that at least 12 insurgents were killed and 15 others injured during raids targeting militias sites in Az-Zahari and Yakhtal districts, north of Mocha coastal directorate.

Han strategic mountain witnessed several fierce clashes between insurgency and legitimacy forces during which different kinds of weapons were used, however, army troops advanced and forced the militias to retreat after several of their members were killed and injured.

"The insurgency militia continuous attack on Han Mountain is because of its great importance given that it overlooks al-Dabab crossing on the west and the road linking Taiz with Aden through At-Turba district," explained the source, adding that by controlling the mountain, the city is besieged.

Clashes in the city coincided with battles in As-Silw following an attack launched by troops of 35th armored brigade on insurgency's posts killing several of their militants, confirmed the source, who added: "forces liberated al-Hawd village as clashes continued in Tebbat al-Menya strategic town, which is partly controlled by the army."

Militias increased their violent bombardment of residential areas from the outskirts of the city. Residents in the city reported that four civilians were wounded during militants' shelling.

Sanaa resistance council called upon residents to unite and carry on the uprising waged by Yemeni people.



Houthis in Yemen Strip their Head of Govt of his Powers

The Houthis prevented Ahmed al-Rahwi from naming the head of his office. (Houthi media)
The Houthis prevented Ahmed al-Rahwi from naming the head of his office. (Houthi media)
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Houthis in Yemen Strip their Head of Govt of his Powers

The Houthis prevented Ahmed al-Rahwi from naming the head of his office. (Houthi media)
The Houthis prevented Ahmed al-Rahwi from naming the head of his office. (Houthi media)

The Iran-backed Houthi militias have prevented their so-called prime minister, Ahmed al-Rahwi, from naming the head of his office.

The Houthis have instead forced him to appoint a person of their choosing against his wishes, revealed informed sources in the Houthi-held capital Sanaa.

The Houthis are attempting to strip al-Rahwi, who was named as head of the militias’ new government, of his powers, making his appointment simply a cover for imposing their agenda and favoring Houthis who are descended of the line of their leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi.

The sources revealed that al-Rahwi had headed to the government headquarters with Rabih al-Mehdi, the director of the office of his predecessor. Mehdi hails from the Abyan province that is held by the legitimate government.

Al-Rahwi was seeking to keep al-Mehdi in his post. However, a leading Houthi member, Mohammed Qassem al-Kabisi, who used to occupy the position of government secretary, barred him from making the appointment.

Kabisi even prevented al-Mehdi from entering his office, resulting in an argument with al-Rahwi.

Kabisi informed al-Rahwi that he had no authority in naming the head of his office, saying that he does instead.

Al-Rahwi turned to the Houthis’ so-called ruling high political council to resolve the dispute and was informed that he should accept Kabisi as head of his office despite his objection.

A decree was issued days later naming Kabisi to the post.

He will effectively hold absolute power in government, while al-Rahwi will simply play a figurative role and only be needed to approve decisions and procedures taken by the Houthi leadership, joining other ministers who have no real duties.

The Houthis have formed a new government that will follow in the footsteps of its predecessor in keeping actual power to the militias themselves.

The new lineup includes a pro-Houthi figure, with no diplomatic background or experience, who was named foreign minister, replacing leading General People's Congress member Hisham Sharaf.

The appointment only fueled claims that the Houthis were seeking to eliminate their partners from rule. Al-Rahwi himself had no say in the lineup.

The Houthis announced the formation of their government on August 12. It met on August 17 to discuss its program, referred it to parliament the same day and by the next morning, an announcement was made that it was approved with no amendments or objections.

The incident with al-Rahwi has fueled speculation that the coming period will witness more struggles for power among the Houthis and their partners, whom they are trying to keep out of rule.

Observers noted that Kabisi is the son of a top Houthi leader. Qassem al-Kabisi is one of the founders of the group and is close to their leader Abdulmalik al-Houthi.

The senior Houthi officials believe they have the right to represent the Houthis in rule since they are its founders and oldest members.