Yemen forces say 1,370 Houthis killed or wounded in 1,729 strikes

Yemeni government forces said Thursday that 1,370 Houthi fighters had been “neutralized” in 1,729 strikes during the “Dawn of Yemen” military operation.

In a statement, the forces said the strikes targeted observation posts, forward command-and-control centres, weapons depots, supply points, reinforcements and military positions across several fronts.

The operation used what the statement described as “advanced modern weapons” and destroyed or damaged 300 military vehicles, pieces of equipment and other assets. The figures could not be independently verified.

Rashad al-Alimi, chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, announced the operation on Monday. He said it aims to restore state institutions, retake the capital, Sanaa, and end Houthi control.

Government forces have since reported advances in southwestern Yemen, including in areas around the strategic Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The Saudi-led coalition, which backs Yemen’s internationally recognised government, said 100 fighter jets took part in strikes against Houthi positions.

The offensive followed renewed fighting after Houthi advances in September, including the seizure of the strategic port city of Mokha and Mayyun Island, which overlooks the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.

Yemen has been mired in conflict since the Houthis seized Sanaa in September 2014. The Saudi-led coalition intervened in March 2015 in support of the internationally recognised government.