Yemen

Ansarullah fighters in Yemen seize another town

382820_Yemen-Houthi

Yemen’s Ansarullah fighters have made new advances in their operations against the al-Qaeda linked militants in the country, capturing a new town south of the capital.

Security officials said on Sunday that the fighters from the Shia Houthi movement captured the town of Yarim, located about 170 kilometers (106 miles) south of Sana’a in the province of Ibb.

The town, which is regarded as a stronghold of the al-Qaeda-affiliated militants, is home to over 100,000 people and lies along the main road to Yemen’s southern provinces.

The takeover came a day after that the Houthis captured Tawwal border crossing in Hajjah Province and took control of Wagha region in the same province.

Ansarullah fighters already control the cities of Sana’a, Ibb, Dhamar and the major port city of Hodeida. They also captured the strategic town of Rada’ in the province of al-Bayda on Friday from al-Qaeda-linked militants.

In September, Ansarullah revolutionary fighters gained control over the capital, following a four-day battle with army forces loyal to General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, the half-brother of former dictator, Ali Abdullah Saleh.

The Ansarullah movement played a major role in the popular uprising that forced Saleh to step down after more than 33 years in power.

Yemen has been facing threats from al-Qaeda-linked militants, as well as a separatist movement in the country’s southern region.

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