Yesterday, Friday, the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen announced the interception and destruction of a drone that was launched towards the city of Khamis Mushait (southern of the Kingdom), for the second time within 24 hours. 25 members of the Yemeni Parliament called on President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi to take urgent action and support the army to defend Marib.
The coalition indicated - in a statement yesterday, Friday - that it targeted Houthi vehicles and elements in Al-Bayda (south), Al-Jawf (north) and Sirwah (west of the city of Ma'rib);
As a result, 126 Houthi militants were killed, and 16 military vehicles belonging to them were destroyed.
Meanwhile, Yemeni military sources said that violent battles erupted between the Yemeni army forces with the support of tribesmen on the one hand, and the Houthi group (Ansar Allah) on the other hand, in the Al-Juba district (south of Marib governorate).
The sources stated that the army forces launched an attack in which they managed to regain some areas that were controlled by the Houthis during the past two days, including the Umm Rish training camp (south of Al-Juba district).
No details were given about the death toll and injuries in the confrontations, but the sources said that they are in the dozens from both sides.
The coalition is trying to prevent the Houthis from reaching the city of Marib, the last stronghold of the internationally recognized government in northern Yemen, where the Houthis escalated their military operations last February to control it.
Urgent Support
In a statement, Yemeni parliamentarians described the government's position as indifferent and unable to meet the army's needs in its battle in Marib against the Houthis.
They called on the President of the Republic, Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi, to take urgent action to provide weapons to the army from any side, considering this to be among his core responsibilities at this dangerous moment with the aim of achieving victory in what they described as the existential battle to restore the republic and the state.
The statement said that this request does not mean detracting from the role of the coalition led by Saudi Arabia, noting that the coalition has done its best and the Yemeni people will not forget their fraternal role for them.
Observers and analysts had criticized the modest armament of the Yemeni government forces, in the face of the Houthis, who had obtained quality weapons, including drones and ballistic missiles, they said.
In another development, the people of Taiz buried the body of the leader of the Yemeni Congregation for Reform Party, Zia al-Haq al-Ahdal, who was assassinated by unknown assailants in the city center last week.
During the funeral demonstration that started from "Freedom Square" after Friday prayers, the participants denounced what they described as the state of lawlessness in the city of Taiz, and demanded the prosecution of those wanted and those involved in the assassination crimes, and a curfew with weapons inside the city.
The participants in the funeral renewed their demand for the dismissal of leaders in the local authority, and their trial on corruption charges.
Yemen has been witnessing a war for nearly 7 years, with a Saudi-led coalition carrying out military operations in support of government forces, in the face of the Houthis, who control several governorates, including the capital, Sanaa.