Imminent Fall of Remaining Key Houthi Pockets West of Taiz

Yemeni government forces. AP file photo
Yemeni government forces. AP file photo
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Imminent Fall of Remaining Key Houthi Pockets West of Taiz

Yemeni government forces. AP file photo
Yemeni government forces. AP file photo

Yemeni Joint Forces backed by the Arab Coalition succeeded on Sunday to secure al-Hayma seaport of At-Tuhayata on the Red Sea and to liberate al-Qataba region south of the Hodeida governorate.

Meanwhile, Houthis were dealt a severe blow west of Taiz, where Yemeni forces tightened their grip on the remaining rebel pockets in the town of al-Burh.

The military development came two days after the Tehami resistance, the Giant Brigades and the National Resistance led by Tariq Mohammad Abdullah Saleh mounted a largescale military operation to liberate Hodeida from the grips of the Iranian-backed Houthi militias.

The forces terminated the presence of rebels in areas west and southwest of Taiz, including al-Waziya directorate, Mozza and Al-Omari military camp.

Yemeni forces also regained control of Kahboub mountainous area, as the Iran-backed Houthis fled to neighboring villages.

Field sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that battles to regain territory north of Hodeida from the directorates of al-Khawkha and Habas intensified on Sunday after Yemeni Joint Forces deployed in the districts of al-Jarahi and Tahita, controlling the local al-Hayma seaport.

Meanwhile, Brigadier General Tariq Saleh’s military media said: “The Giant Brigades have liberated al-Hayma seaport.”

This victory coincided with the complete clearing of the nearby al-Qataba area from Houthi militias.

Yemen’s National Army also advanced Sunday in al-Burh area, and surrounded the city from three directions, as Coalition forces fiercely shelled remaining Houthi positions in the city.

Military observers told Asharq Al-Awsat they expect that Houthi forces would collapse in al-Burh town and other pockets located 40 kilometers away from the east of Taiz city.

“By liberating the town of al-Burh, Yemeni forces would have taken from Houthis their most important pocket west of Taiz,” the observers said.



Switzerland Lifts Economic Sanctions on Syria

A drone view shows the Syrian central bank, after the ousting of Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria, December 16, 2024. (Reuters)
A drone view shows the Syrian central bank, after the ousting of Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria, December 16, 2024. (Reuters)
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Switzerland Lifts Economic Sanctions on Syria

A drone view shows the Syrian central bank, after the ousting of Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria, December 16, 2024. (Reuters)
A drone view shows the Syrian central bank, after the ousting of Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria, December 16, 2024. (Reuters)

Switzerland said on Friday it will lift a raft of economic sanctions imposed on Syria, including the Middle Eastern country's central bank.

After the toppling of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, targeted sanctions against individuals and entities linked to the former government will still remain in place, Switzerland's governing Federal Council said.

"The aim of this decision is to promote the country's economic recovery and an inclusive and peaceful political transition," the council said in a statement.

After an initial easing of sanctions in March, Switzerland is now lifting restrictions on the provision of certain financial services, trade in precious metals and the export of luxury goods, the government said.

Some 24 entities including the central bank of Syria have also been removed from the sanctions list, it added.

The announcement follows the EU's decision to lift its economic sanctions on Syria at the end of May after a similar move by the US Treasury Department in the same month.