Iran-backed Houthi militias reinforced their security positions in the center of the Yemeni capital Sanaa after the Coalition to Support the Legitimacy launched raids targeting militia leaders at the presidential palace earlier this week.
The advances of the Yemeni National Army forces, backed by the Coalition, created confusion among Houthis, said a Yemeni governmental official.
Yemeni Minister of Information Muammar al-Aryani stressed that the army is achieving several victories in a number of Yemeni areas and on many fronts, saying Yemen is witnessing historic moments in its mission to restore legitimacy.
Aryani told Asharq Al-Awsat that a large numbers of militants have deserted their posts because they realize that the military battle is nearing its “final stage."
"The Iranian Houthi militias sense that defeat is near," asserted the minister.
The strikes in Yemen came after Saleh al-Sammad, the second in command among militia leaders, was killed by Coalition strikes last month. He was responsible for firing ballistic missiles, killing civilians, targeting maritime navigation and, consequently, threatening global security.
Yemeni political analyst Najib Gulab said the major Houthi losses reflect internal divisions among the militia ranks.
He told Asharq Al-Awsat that the Houthis’ current state of fear and anxiety has reached the extent of terror.
He said that many forces that run state institutions within the army, security and tribes no longer trust Houthis in wake of the death of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
After the targeting of Houthi political and field commanders during the past three months, the militants realized that they have been infiltrated, deepening the divisions among their ranks.
Gulab pointed out that Houthi militias know their ranks have been breached by Saleh’s allies.
Saleh was killed by the Houthis in December days after he announced that he was severing his alliance with them.
