Clear-cut victories achieved by pro-government forces against Houthis in Yemen’s central governorate of Al Bayda have revived widespread hopes for defeating the Iran-backed militia once and for all.
Frustrated by battlefield losses, Houthi ranks quickly collapsed against advances mounted by the army and armed popular resistance forces.
Over the last two days, local popular resistance forces and army units such as the Giants Brigade, backed by fighter jets of the Saudi-led Arab Coalition, staged a far-reaching military campaign dubbed “Al-Najm Al-Thaqib” (Piercing Star) against Houthi positions in Al Bayda.
Forces loyal to the internationally recognized governorate are looking to free Al Bayda from Houthis as its strategic location connects it to eight other Yemeni governorates.
On Monday, Yemeni forces liberated Al Bayda’s entire al-Zahir district, including surrounding areas. Freed territories were fully secured before pro-government forces started advancing towards the governorate’s capital city, Al Bayda.
According to Yemeni military sources, the Giants Brigade played a significant role in supporting local fighters in recapturing their villages and towns that Houthis gripped for nearly seven years.
For its part, the internationally recognized Yemeni government stated that military wins in Al Bayda expose just how breakable Houthi formations are and reassert local rejection of the Iran-aligned militia.
“The popular resentment in the areas under the control of Houthi militias proves that their control is fragile,” said government spokesperson Rajih al-Badi.
“If all Yemeni forces unite--from the army to the tribes and popular resistance--these racist militias will be defeated,” he confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat, adding that post-liberation celebrations prove how unhappy locals were under Houthi oppressive rule.
Praising the joint effort by pro-government forces, the Yemeni government spokesperson said he also believes that the victories in Al Bayda “will undoubtedly affect the rest of the governorates positively.”
