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.”



Lebanon's PM Says Country to Begin Disarming South Litani to Ensure State Presence

President Joseph Aoun met with PM Najib Mikati at Baabda palace. (NNA)
President Joseph Aoun met with PM Najib Mikati at Baabda palace. (NNA)
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Lebanon's PM Says Country to Begin Disarming South Litani to Ensure State Presence

President Joseph Aoun met with PM Najib Mikati at Baabda palace. (NNA)
President Joseph Aoun met with PM Najib Mikati at Baabda palace. (NNA)

Lebanese caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said on Friday that the state will begin disarming southern Lebanon, particularly the south Litani region, to establish its presence across the country.
"We are in a new phase - in this new phase, we will start with south Lebanon and south Litani specifically in order to pull weapons so that the state can be present across Lebanese territory," Mikati said.

Mikati's remarks followed a meeting with newly elected President Joseph Aoun at the Baabda Presidential Palace. Aoun was elected as the country's new head of state by parliament on Thursday, ending a vacancy in the presidency that had persisted for over two years.

In his address to parliament, Aoun pledged to control weapons outside the state's control, saying the government is the sole entity authorized to possess and use military force and weapons.
A ceasefire agreement that ended the 13-month-conflict between Israel and Hezbollah in November has given the Lebanese party 60 days to end its armed presence in southern Lebanon, while Israeli forces are also required to withdraw from the area over the same period.
The ceasefire agreement says Israeli forces will move south of the Blue Line “in a phased manner” within 60 days. The Lebanese army’s troops will deploy “in parallel” to the positions.