ALBAWABA – The Yemeni government forces showed off their new, strong military arsenal amid escalation with the Ansar Allah group, commonly known as the Houthis.
The Yemeni-recognized government unveiled its established drone unit, which includes suicide drones, FPV quadcopters, munition-dropping UAVs, reconnaissance assets, and radars.
The internationally recognized government in Yemen announced on Aug. 18 that its forces have conducted over 100 attacks against Houthis in the past 24 hours.
About 133 operations were carried out against “the capabilities and elements of the ‘terrorist’ Houthi militia”, with the participation of army units stationed along front-line positions, Yemen army spokesperson Majed al-Nuzaili said via X on Tuesday.
Military helicopters fly over during an official military parade marking the ninth anniversary of the Houthi takeover of the capital, Sanaa, on September 21, 2023. (Photo by MOHAMMED HUWAIS / AFP)
Houthis, in response, also carried out airstrikes targeting ports in Yemen. In recent weeks, fighting escalated across multiple fronts, as clashes were reported in many provinces – including Marib, al-Jawf, Hadramout, Hodeidah, Taiz, al-Dhale and Lahj.
How did the situation in Yemen escalate?
In July, a strike hit Sanaa airport, controlled by the Houthis, aiming to stop an Iranian plane from landing. The Ansar Allah group blamed Saudi Arabia for the strike. However, the attack was claimed by the Yemeni government.
After the strike, the Houthis declared a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia and initiated a general mobilization. This was followed by an escalation in attacks on Red Sea shipping and strikes on Saudi oil facilities.
The Yemeni-recognized government forces launched a preemptive operation on August 6 against Houthi weapons-smuggling routes. The heaviest Houthi bombardment in years.
