The Yemeni national army forces announced that the Saudi-led Arab coalition forces downed a Houthi drone on Wednesday west of the key coastal province of Hodeidah.
Coalition air forces said that the drone was downed east of Khokha district in Hodeidah and was Iran-made.
The drone was reportedly carrying explosives, confirming Iran's terrorist threat through its continued armament of the Houthi militias.
Iran is accused of having specifically supplied the Houthis with drones used to attack Saudi Arabia and threaten Red Sea navigation.
Separately, many militants were killed and others injured on multiple battlefronts against army and pro-government forces.
Some militants were killed in Arab coalition raids.
The bloodiest battles took place south of Hodeidah, the Houthi stronghold of Saada province, the central al-Bayda province, eastern Sanaa and Nihm province.
“National army raids leveled Houthi barracks and concentrations in a number of areas west of Zabid directorate and east of Tahita directorate, and south of Hodeidah,” an army source said.
After entering the war at the request of President Abdrabu Mansur Hadi on March 26, 2015, the Saudi-led coalition has helped pro-government forces retake much of the territory captured by Houthis. However, Sanaa remains under coupist control.
A state of confusion has spread across Houthi ranks as reports emerged over the defection of a number of their members in wake of the heavy losses they incurred in Hodeidah. The death of Houthi prominent leaders in battle has also caused low morale among combatants.
Coup militias acknowledged the death one of their prominent leader, Issa al-Ka'dah, in battles fought against army forces in al-Bayda.
Al-Ka’dah operated under the alias “Abu Qasef", and the coup’s self-proclaimed defense ministry confirmed his death in a statement.
