Coalition forces brace to seize Al Jawf

Saudi-led Arab coalition forces fighting to restore legitimacy in conflict-torn Yemen have mobilised three brigades to attack the strategic Al Jawf province to pave the way for the final battle to control the capital Sanaa, the main Houthi stronghold.

Coalition jets continued to pound rebel targets in that area and other positions as they pursued preparations to assault Al Jawf, which is located nearly 140 km Northeast of Sanaa and has an area of about 40,000 sq km, almost 7 per cent of Yemen.

"The coalition and the legitimate Yemeni forces have completed the deployment of three brigades to attack and liberate Al Jawf to open the road towards Sanaa," the UAE Arabic language daily Al Bayan said in a report from Aden.

It said the liberation of Al Jawf from the Houthi rebels and their allies would open the road for the coalition to attack Saada, another key Houthi stronghold, and advance towards Sanaa. It said other units of the coalition forces were advancing in Marib and that the coalition would send more reinforcements to that front for the Sanaa battle.

"Meanwhile, coalition jets intensified their attacks on the positions of Houthis and their allies in Taiz. Two main positions used for military purposes, were destroyed," it said.

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