Over 100 Houthi militants were killed on Friday and Saturday as fierce battles continued to rage between the Iran-backed militia and pro-government forces in the Yemeni governorates of Marib and Hajjah.
Clashes between Yemeni army forces, which are backed by Saudi-led Arab Coalition, and the Houthis have intensified in Marib since early March. Marib is the last major northern stronghold for pro-government forces and is home to one of Yemen’s largest oil infrastructures.
The Arab Coalition’s air forces have successfully targeted Houthi tanks and anti-aircraft weapons in Marib’s Sirwah district. Several Houthi fighters were killed in the offensive.
Despite incurring significant losses in Marib and Hajjah, Houthis continue to rally more reinforcements to battlefronts in the two governorates. The Iran-aligned group has also maintained its attempts to launch cross-border attacks against neighboring Saudi Arabia.
On Saturday, the Arab Coalition destroyed a Houthi explosive-laden drone launched towards Saudi Arabia in Yemeni airspace.
The foiled attack comes a day after the Iran-backed militia launched an explosive-laden Houthi drone targeting Khamis Mushait and a ballistic missile fired toward Jazan.
Friday’s attacks were condemned by the UAE, Bahrain, Jordan, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab Parliament.
The Arab Parliament, for its part, affirmed that the security and stability of Saudi Arabia is a fundamental pillar of the Arab national security and represents a constant strategic depth in the national security system as a whole.
In an official statement, the Arab Parliament warned against the ongoing violations staged by Houthi militias, saying they reflect Iran’s broader scheme for destabilizing the region.
The Cairo-based legislative body called on the international community to take urgent and decisive action to deter Houthi violence and protect civilians.
More so, the Arab Parliament reaffirmed its full stand and solidarity with Saudi Arabia in all the measures the Kingdom takes to protect and preserve its national security and the safety of its citizens and residents.
