In recent hours in the Yemeni province of Shabwa, significant progress has been made by the Yemeni army and the Giants Brigades, with the liberation of the Bayhan district. After granting the Houthi militias a six-hour deadline to withdraw, the Giants Brigades announced on Saturday that this deadline has ended, thus commencing the third phase of liberating the province, targeting the Ayn district. A focused air and ground campaign is expected to begin today, in coordination with the Coalition supporting legitimacy, against the militias in the Ayn district with the aim of driving them out.
The brigades previously confirmed last night the success of the second phase of the "Southern Hurricane" operation with the liberation of the Bayhan district, emphasizing their full readiness to implement the third phase without delay to liberate "Ayn." The official spokesperson for the armed forces, Brigadier General Abdu Majli, explained earlier that the army and Giants forces managed to liberate and regain the city of Al-Ulya, the administrative center of the Bayhan district, and control the asphalt road linking Bayhan to Al-Bayda province. He also added, according to what was reported by Al Arabiya/Al Hadath correspondent yesterday, that the army and Giants forces regained important sites and areas, notably Al-Ulya market, and the surrounding mountains and locations.
He confirmed that the defeats of the Houthis are continuing, in addition to the flight and collapse within their ranks. It was reported that engineering teams began removing mines and clearing all obstacles and barricades to prepare for the return of citizens to the liberated areas, affirming that there has been a warm welcome from the residents, hopeful for the advance of the army and resistance. Additionally, he revealed that several militia members have been captured, while groups of their elements fled toward Al-Bayda province.
It is noteworthy that these field developments come a week after the Yemeni army and the Giants launched a simultaneous campaign on the fronts of Shabwa and Marib provinces, achieving significant advances in both provinces. The Houthis had seized three districts in the south of Shabwa in September 2021, including the Aysilan district, which was recaptured by the legitimate government forces a few days ago, in addition to the Bayhan and Ayn districts. The militias had launched a campaign on oil-rich Marib since February 2021 to seize it, but they have made only slight progress despite violent attacks on the area that is crowded with millions of displaced people.
