Houthis Violate Ceasefire 151 Times in Two Days

Photo: Saleh al-Obeidi/AFP]

The Saudi-led coalition accused Houthi rebels of committing 151 ceasefire violations over the past 48 hours, meanwhile, the Iran-backed militia group continued to intensify its presence at four fronts in Yemen.

On Tuesday, the Arab coalition said the Houthi violations include "hostilities and the use of light and heavy weapons.”

The coalition confirmed it was applying utmost restraint and complying with rules of engagement, yet reserves the right of response to self-defense on the fronts.

It also stressed its continued commitment to ceasing hostilities amid the pandemic and expressed its support for peace efforts by UN Special Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths.

In a related development, a press office of the Yemeni government forces, supported by the coalition, said on Tuesday, citing its sources, that there were clashes between the government troops and the Houthis in the country's western province of Hodeidah, which resulted in heavy casualties among the rebels and caused serious damage to their military equipment.

Early in April, the Saudi-led Arab coalition fighting Houthi insurgents has declared a two-week ceasefire in the country in a bid to combat the spread of the novel coronavirus.

Last Friday, spokesman Col. Turki al-Maliki said that the coalition had extended the ceasefire for a month starting from April 23, 2020, based on its previous declaration of a two-week ceasefire and at the request of Griffiths to allow progress between the warring parties in negotiations on a permanent armistice.

However, Yemeni military sources said Joint Forces operating on Yemen's west coast foiled a Houthi attempt to infiltrate in a number of positions south the governorate of Hodeidah, particularly in Hays.

The sources accused the militia of continuing to escalate and violate the UN ceasefire.

The media office of the Giants Brigades confirmed that its members foiled a Houthi attempt to advance towards positions northeast the city of Hays.

Houthi militias continued on Tuesday to escalate at al-Jawf, Sarwah, Bayda', and Dhale fronts, despite a decision by the Yemeni Army to respect the ceasefire.