Advance of Yemeni Government Support Forces Continues

According to reports from Yemen, the advance of the Yemeni government support forces, led by Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi and backed by a Saudi-led coalition, continues in various regions of the country. AFP reports that Hadi's forces managed to take control of the fifth province from the Houthis and their allies on August 15. The advances of the government support forces in recent weeks have been facilitated by military and air support from coalition member countries led by Saudi Arabia. The Houthis, who have received support from Iranian officials, still maintain control over Sana'a, the capital of Yemen. A military official told AFP that the Yemeni rebels retreated from the province of Shabwa after being assured they could safely exit, and this was confirmed by another military official. Reuters also published similar news citing residents of Shabwa and local tribes. A Houthi official told Reuters that they left the city of Ataq based on an agreement with local tribes to prevent Al-Qaeda forces from gaining influence there. On the other hand, AFP reports that military officials accused the rebels of planting mines in government buildings before their exit. Ataq is located 450 kilometers from Sana'a, in Shabwa province, which stretches from the south to the center of Yemen and has a population of nearly half a million. Thus, Hadi's forces have been able to expand their influence and the areas they control in southern Yemen, pushing the Houthis and forces allied with former President Ali Abdullah Saleh out of some regions. The Yemeni rebels took power last year by dissolving parliament and forming a presidential council that sidelined Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi. In Bahman, a group of regional countries expressed their 'concern' over what they described as 'Iran's expanding influence.' Ultimately, at the beginning of Farvardin, Saudi Arabia announced the formation of a coalition and the start of airstrikes against the Houthis. The Houthis generally receive support from the forces loyal to Ali Abdullah Saleh, the former President of Yemen before Hadi. Iranian officials, led by the Supreme Leader, have warned Saudi Arabia on various occasions about its attacks and efforts to restore power to Hadi. More than 4,300 people have been killed in the battles of recent months. Efforts and requests from international and diplomatic officials for a long-term ceasefire and negotiations aimed at ending the crisis in the country have yet to yield significant results. In this context, the Houthis lost control of another city in southern Yemen.