Al Bayda offensive explained

Conflict:Al Bayda offensive
Partof:the Yemeni Civil War (2014–present) and Marib Campaign
Date:17 May 2020 – 1 September 2020
Place:Al Bayda Governorate, Yemen
Territory:
  • Houthi forces capture Qaifah, Wald Rabi and Al-Quraishyah districts from Jihadist forces.[1] [2]
  • Houthi forces seize 80% of Al Bayda Governorate.
Width:420px
Result:Houthi victory
Combatant1: Supreme Political Council
Combatant2: Cabinet of Yemen
Combatant3: al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula[3] ---- ISIL-YP
Commander1:unknown
Commander2: Brig. Gen. Abdulrab Al-Asbahi
(Chief of the Bayda military command)
Commander3: Abu Al-Walid Al-Adani[4]
(ISIS Emir in Qifah District)
Strength1:unknown
Strength2:unknown
Strength3:unknown
Casualties1:60 casualties
(Acc. Hadi Government)
Casualties2:unknown
Casualties3:250 casualties
10 captured[5]
(Acc. Houthi)

The Al Bayda offensive began in late July 2020 with the restart of military operations by Houthis forces in Al Bayda Governorate, during the Second Yemeni Civil War against forces of Al-Qaeda in Yemen, the Islamic State in Yemen and military forces loyal to the Government of Abd Rabbuh Mansur Al-Hadi.

Prelude

In early 2020, Houthi forces were achieving territorial gains in al-Jawf Governorate and Marib along the main highway that links those governorates,[6] with the aim of controlling the Bayda-Marib axis.[7]

The battle

On May 15, clashes broke out in al-Bayda between Houthi forces and pro-Hadi government forces. The latter claimed the deaths and injuries of Houthi militants, but did not give specific numbers.[8]

On 21 June, Houthis-led forces fought its way in the Baydha Governorate, with the aim on reaching Mahilia area and attack Marib by the South.[9] According to Pro-Hadi government media the Houthi offensive on Al-Nahma area, Mahliyah District of Marib, left tribesmen loyal to the government and soldiers in a dire situation of being attacked from the South.[10]

On 30 June, Houthi forces made further advances on the north of Bayda and the south of Marib, seizing 400 km2 of terrain and inflicting 250 killed, wounded and captured Pro-Hadi Government forces.[11]

On 12 August, Houthi sources reported advances on the Marib front against ISIS and Al-Qaeda forces located in the southeast of Marib and Saudi led forces in the southwest.[12]

On 19 August, the spokesperson of the Houthi movement, Gen. Yahya al-Sari, said that after military operations the districts of Walad Rabi and Quraishiyah were captured by Houthi forces. According to al-Sari Houthi forces seized 1,000 km2 of terrain from control of Jihadist groups (Al-Qaeda and Islamic State in Yemen), inflicted 250 killed, wounded and captured whilst destroying 12 enemy bases.[13]

On 22 August, Houthi media revealed the advances made by Houthi fighters against Al-Qaeda and Islamic State forces in Bayda. According to Yemeni media Houthi fighters seized M47 Dragon missiles, M2 Browning machine guns and supplies of the World Food Programme from jihadist forces.[14]

Aftermath

On 23 September 2021, Houthi forces said they captured three districts from Al-Bayda governorate effectively controlling the province.[15] [16] The Ministry of Defense of the Houthi government dubbed the result as a "strategic victory" over Al-Qaeda and ISIS-Y.[17]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Scores of Houthi fighters killed in central Yemen fighting. Debriefer. 21 August 2020.
  2. Web site: Yemeni Armed Forces reveal details of large-scale operation against al-Qaeda and Daesh. 2020-08-23. 2022-01-10. https://web.archive.org/web/20220110083219/https://uprising.today/yemeni-armed-forces-reveal-details-of-large-scale-operation-against-al-qaeda-and-daesh/. dead.
  3. Web site: 11 Yemen soldiers killed in clashes and rebel attack. AlJazeera. 17 August 2020.
  4. Web site: Anasrallah forces kill high-ranking ISIS leader in Yemen. Al Masdar. 20 August 2020. 21 August 2020. 11 April 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210411040334/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/anasrallah-forces-kill-high-ranking-isis-leader-in-yemen/. dead.
  5. Web site: Four al-Qaeda leaders arrested in Bayda. 22 August 2020.
  6. Web site: Ansarallah forces on the verge of eliminating Al-Qaeda/ISIS pocket in central Yemen. Al Masdar. 12 August 2020. 21 August 2020. 20 April 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210420111308/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/ansarallah-forces-on-the-verge-of-eliminating-al-qaeda-isis-pocket-in-central-yemen/. dead.
  7. Web site: Yemeni Army captures important sites in Al-Bayda after heavy battle with Ansarallah forces. Al Masdar. 25 July 2020. 21 August 2020. 17 January 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210117233223/https://www.almasdarnews.com/article/yemeni-army-captures-important-sites-in-al-bayda-after-heavy-battle-with-ansarallah-forces/. dead.
  8. Web site: Yemeni army says Houthis killed in al-Badya clashes . 2024-02-29 . Al Jazeera . en.
  9. Web site: Fiercest hostilities pitting Houthis against tribes in Yemen's Baydha. Debriefer.com. 21 June 2020.
  10. Web site: Tribal sources have warned of the seriousness of the situation on the borders of the southern Marib governorate, with the Houthi militia continuing to mobilize to the outskirts of Radman District and trying to deploy to the Mahlia District, adjacent to it.. yemen News. 21 June 2020.
  11. Web site: Yemeni Armed Forces spokesperson press conference regarding the operation in north of Baydha. 29 June 2020. Islamic World News. 22 June 2023.
  12. Web site: Ansar Allah heavy attack in north of Baydha and south of Marib (Map Update). Islamic World News.
  13. Web site: Latest Updates on Baydha Front, 19 August 2020 (Map Update). IWN. 19 August 2020.
  14. Web site: Yemeni media reveals footage of massive victory over terrorist groups on Bayda. 22 August 2020. Althawranews.
  15. Web site: Houthi group claims control of al-Bayda province in central Yemen. Andalou Agency News. 23 September 2021. Ahmed. Asmar.
  16. Web site: Houthis say take control of entire Bayda province in central Yemen . Debriefer. 23 September 2021.
  17. Web site: Yemeni Minister of Defence congratulates military forces on liberation of Bayda province. 24 September 2021. Hodhod News.