Yemeni Army Captures Seven Insurgents after Liberating As Silw in Taiz

A soldier loyal to Yemen’s government stands next to mines planted by Houthi militias in the province of Ma’rib, Yemen, on October 4, 2015. (Reuters/Stringer)
A soldier loyal to Yemen’s government stands next to mines planted by Houthi militias in the province of Ma’rib, Yemen, on October 4, 2015. (Reuters/Stringer)
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Yemeni Army Captures Seven Insurgents after Liberating As Silw in Taiz

A soldier loyal to Yemen’s government stands next to mines planted by Houthi militias in the province of Ma’rib, Yemen, on October 4, 2015. (Reuters/Stringer)
A soldier loyal to Yemen’s government stands next to mines planted by Houthi militias in the province of Ma’rib, Yemen, on October 4, 2015. (Reuters/Stringer)

Yemeni military sources affirmed Tuesday that the Yemeni National Army (YNA) captured seven members from the Houthi militia, after completing the liberation of As Silw in Taiz.

Yemeni National Army launched on Sunday a military operation to continue the liberation of the remaining parts in As Silw. The army, supported by the Arab Coalition, managed to liberate all the sites, with only few enclaves left where insurgent militias take shelter.

A military source in brigade 35 reported to Asharq Al-Awsat that the YNA are now meters away from first regions of Damnah Khadeer, where insurgents fled. He added that the Arab coalition jets backed the army, assisting it in liberating As Silw through airstrikes on insurgents’ whereabouts.

“The forces captured seven insurgents in As Silw,” said the source, adding that the Arab Coalition jets targeted Houthi militia reinforcements in Ar Rahidah, Warazan and As-Silw axis on Monday morning.

Further, the UAE Armed Forces have carried out air strikes targeting two military vehicles belonging to the Houthi militia in the Yemeni district of Hayes. The first strike resulted in the destruction of a large amount of the militia's weapons and ammunition, while the second eliminated dozens of Houthis. The two vehicles were moving to strengthen the Houthi militia supplies.

Houthis are planting mines and explosive charges randomly on the roads, in houses and farms of regions which there are being expelled from. These mines killed hundreds and injured several children.

A field source stated to Asharq Al-Awsat that the “Insurgent militias are desperate to recapture al-Dab Mountains, following fierce conflict with the militias, which led to the death of many insurgents and the destruction of their military vehicles.”



Biden: Joseph Aoun is ‘First-Rate Guy’

FILE - President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool, File)
FILE - President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool, File)
TT

Biden: Joseph Aoun is ‘First-Rate Guy’

FILE - President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool, File)
FILE - President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool, File)

US President Joe Biden welcomed the election of Joseph Aoun as Lebanon's president on Thursday, saying in a statement that the army chief was the “right leader” for the country.

“President Aoun has my confidence. I believe strongly he is the right leader for this time,” said Biden, adding that Aoun would provide “critical leadership” in overseeing an Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire.

Aoun's election by Lebanese lawmakers ended a more than two-year vacancy and could mark a step towards lifting the country out of financial meltdown.

“We finally have a president,” Biden said later, at the end of a meeting on the response to major wildfires in the US city of Los Angeles.

He said he had spoken to Aoun by phone on Thursday for “20 minutes to half an hour,” describing the Lebanese leader as a “first-rate guy.”

Biden pledged to continue US support for Lebanon’s security forces, and for Lebanon’s recovery and reconstruction, the White House said in a readout of Biden’s call with Aoun.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Aoun's election “a moment of historic opportunity,” which offered Lebanon a chance to “establish durable peace and stability.”

Aoun, who turned 61 on Friday, faces the difficult task of overseeing the fragile ceasefire with Israel in south Lebanon.

Separately, Biden spoke about the hostage talks between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

“We’re making some real progress,” he told reporters at the White House, adding that he had spoken with US negotiators earlier Thursday.

“I know hope springs eternal, but I’m still hopeful that we’ll be able to have a prisoner exchange.”

Biden added: “Hamas is the one getting in the way of that exchange right now, but I think we may be able to get that done. We need to get it done.”