In an operation backed by the Arab Coalition to restore legitimacy in Yemen, the Yemeni army fifth military zone’s Happy Yemen Brigades were able to surround the border city of Harad in the northwestern governorate of Hajjah.
This paves the way to clear Harad from mines and militia pockets in the coming hours, according to a Friday report published by Yemen’s official military media.
While liberating Harad opens the door to freeing other districts in Hajjah Governorate, whose population is close to three million, field sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the military operation in the border city resulted in the killing and wounding of hundreds of Houthi militia fighters.
Nevertheless, dozens of Houthi militiamen are still stuck in Harad after supply lines from the eastern and southern sides were cut off.
In the past years, Yemeni army forces had recaptured large parts of Harad district. Before advancing towards Harad, pro-government forces, backed by the Arab Coalition, took control of passages through the neighboring districts of Midi and Hiran.
Moreover, sources confirmed the liberation of the border guard camp “Al-Muhssam” in Harad. Army forces also took control of the “Al-Husnain” mountains and secured the international line linking the governorates of Hodeidah and Hajjah with a length of 70 kilometers.
Military observers expect that the Yemeni army forces will continue their activities in the fifth zone after clearing the city of Harad in the south. They will continue freeing districts from Houthi hold and move forward along the coast of the Red Sea.
This sudden progress in Harad coincides with other advancements in battels raging in Marib, Taiz and other areas west of Saada, the stronghold of the Houthi militia, where the military media reported the killing and wounding of hundreds of Houthis.
The Arab Coalition, which backs the internationally recognized government in Yemen, on Friday announced its full support for the operations of the Happy Yemen Brigade in all combat axes against the Houthi militias, stressing that it supports the progress of the Happy Yemen Brigades in all axes and the operations achieve their interim goals.
