Houthis Continue to Rally Recruits to Nihm Front Despite Losses

Arab World

February 4th, 9:40am

Sanaa- Asharq Al-Awsat

Supporters of the Houthi movement shout slogans as they attend a rally to mark the 4th anniversary of the Saudi-led military intervention in Yemen's war in Sanaa, Yemen, March 26 (Reuters file photo)

Local sources based in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, revealed that Houthi militias have deployed additional forces to east Sanaa zones despite the group’s growing losses in battlefronts in Nihm, Al Jawf, and Maarib. According to sources, speaking under the conditions of anonymity, Houthis have buried hundreds of their militiamen over the last two weeks. Leaders were among those killed in battles waged against the internationally-recognized government which is backed by the Saudi-led Arab Coalition. The Houthi media mouthpiece Saba News Agency confirmed that the group held the funerals for Colonel Muhammad Ali al-Samat, Colonel Muhammad Salih Hadi al-Waeli, Lieutenant-Colonel Yahya Qaid Qusan, Lieutenant Colonel Daris Ali al-Mansuri, Lieutenant Colonel Salih Salih Ismail, Major Yahya Muhammad Abdul-Wahhab al-Shami, Major Muhammad Ali Al-Ashwal, Captain Ammar Nasser Al-Saifi, First Lieutenant Sajid Hassan Al-Kharashi, Soldier Hamza Abdullah Al-Haradhi, Soldier Zaaq Sinan Hammadi, and Soldier Yahya Hussein Saadane. The Houthi sources did not indicate the exact location of their killing, but local sources in Sanaa said they were more likely to have been killed in the battles in Nihm, Al Jawf, and Maarib. During the past few days, eyewitnesses in Sanaa confirmed that Houthi militia leaders directed their followers in neighborhoods, schools, mosques, and institutions to mobilize more recruits to fighting fronts, in addition to urging the population to donate money and food in order to support the fighters. The same Houthi sources acknowledged that the group transferred a food convoy that it had gathered from residents of the Houthi-held capital, Sanaa, to the areas of Nihm, Al Jawf, and Maarib. The convoy included food, winter clothing, and cattle and sheep. Despite the huge losses incurred by the militias, they - apparently - insist on sending more of their elements to the battlefronts to make up for the shortfall in their ranks.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2114571/houthis-continue-rally-recruits-nihm-front-despite-losses