Yemen – Houthi rebels mobilize reinforcements outside the city of Marib

Iran-backed Houthi rebels continue to mobilize significant military reinforcements outside the central city of Marib, exploiting the absence of Arab coalition military aircraft due to the UN-brokered truce, according to a military official and local media.

Hundreds of Houthi militia fighters, tanks and heavy artillery have been repositioned to the west and south of the strategic city from other areas controlled by the militia, which is preparing to regain control of Marib, the last major urban stronghold of the Yemeni government in the northern part of the country.

“The Houthis are moving hundreds of fighters and heavy equipment to the west and south of Marib, exploiting the cessation of the Arab coalition airstrikes”, said a military official speaking on condition of anonymity. He added that the government troops were sticking to the truce and were ready to repel any attack by the Houthis.

The Houthis also launched an explosive drone and missile at the government-controlled Malla region south of Marib. Dozens of displaced people are living in the region, the official said.

Under the UN-brokered truce, which took effect on 2 April, warring factions in Yemen agreed to end battlefield fighting and cross-border attacks against neighboring countries.

The Arab coalition also announced that it would stop airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen.

Since last year, the Houthis have been aggressively attacking the city of Marib from the West and South. This offensive has left thousands of civilians and combatants displaced and killed.

According to the Yemeni army, the Houthis have violated the truce hundreds of times in many provinces by displacing troops, launching drones and missiles, and fortifying their positions.

Similarly, the United States Special Envoy for Yemen, Tim Lenderking, urged the Yemeni parties to honor their commitments to end the fighting for two months and expressed disappointment at the postponement of the first commercial flight from the Houthi-controlled Sanaa airport.

“We are disappointed that the first commercial flight from Sanaa has been postponed, depriving Yemenis of an important opportunity to travel. We urge the parties to work together to resume flights as soon as possible and to honor their commitment to a truce for Yemenis”, Lenderking tweeted on Sunday.

Yemen’s government announced on Sunday that the first commercial flight from Sana’a airport to Amman had been postponed after the Houthis insisted on adding dozens of passengers with unauthorized passports. He accused the militia of seeking to smuggle foreign military experts and fighters out of Yemen using false documents.

Only passengers with passports issued by the Yemeni government are allowed to board planes departing from Sana’a airport, the government said.