Published:23-11-2009

SA’ADA, NOV. 22 – Fierce clashes between Yemeni and Saudi forces on one side, and Houthi supporters on the other, continue in various Saada districts.
Saudi media sources revealed on Saturday that Jordanian commandos are backing the Saudi army in its operations against Houthis at the Dukhan Mountain.
The Eco of Najd and Hijaz newspaper said that the Jordanian commandos arrived at Saudi camps in the northern city of Tabuk a few days ago, and were then transported by planes to the southern part of the Kingdom. The newspaper revealed that those forces suffered great losses as a result of Houthi assaults against them.
According to local sources, more bloody clashes between both warring parties lasted up to three hours in Saada City after Houthis attempted to take control of the Republican Palace. Dozens were killed or injured on both sides.
Houthis denied that they targeted the Republican Palace, adding they targeted military positions surrounding the palace.
The Yemeni Defense Ministry-affiliated 26sep.net reported that the army killed several Houthis and seized their equipment in Sabkhana, Maarasa, Jarahih and Jabal Khazzan , and thwarted a Houthi attempt to sneak into a strategic military position near Sa’ada City. The same source added that the army thwarted another Houthi attempt to sneak into the Maqash and camp areas.
In the Harf Sufyan district of the governorate of Amran, fierce confrontations between both warring parties have been continuing since Friday morning, particularly in mountains nearby the Marbaa, Majzaa, Saifan, Shabireq, and Abla, where several were killed or injured on both sides.
From its side, the Media Office of Houthi field leader Abdulmalik Al-Houthi said that their fighters hindered advancement of government troops in Harf Sufyan.
According to a recent statement issued by the office, Saudi jets resumed Saturday air raids on the Dukhan Mountain and neighboring villages, as well as Malahidh and Shadha districts. The statement added that the Saudi jets struck the education office of Razih district and burnt trade stores in the Malahidh and Hasama markets.
Circulated by email, the statement continued that Houthis took over 134 military positions and eight Sa’ada districts since the sixth Sa’ada war broke out in mid-August. It accused the Saudi army of using phosphor bombs in its aerial shelling on Jabal Dukhan, Hasama and Dhahr Al-Himar areas.
Six Saudi soldiers were killed were killed in a Houthi assault on Thursday, Saudi media sources said, adding that Saudi Marines are taking control of the 64km-long coastline between Jaizan and Mausem towns to prevent potential infiltration of militants into Saudi territory. They confirmed that Saudi fighter jets destroyed two Kaytusha launch-pads, belonging to anonymous militants. 
The Saudi sources said that strategic positions belonging to Saudi troops were hit by anonymous groups, killing six soldiers and injuring another eight as they were patrolling areas near the Yemeni border to clear them of Houthi gunmen.
The Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper reported that the Saudi army launched extensive airstrikes on Thursday against Houthi strongholds while ground forces used heavy mortars to attack trenches where Houthis are believed to be hiding.
According to the newspaper, the Saudi fighter jets hit over the past three days several buildings in Saudi villages in the southern part of the kingdom, suspected to be used by Houthis in attacking Saudi troops.

Africans’ involvement
The newspaper quoted Yemeni sources as saying that “Houthis received further support over the past time period…They use elements from the Horn of Africa, particularly Somalia, in digging trenches on mountains, which they use for storing ammunition and implanting ambushes against the army.”
According to sources, advanced engineering methods are used in digging trenches that provide good protection for Houthi fighters during their clashes with troops.
Saudi military sources confirmed that Houthis resorted to concentrating their efforts on fighting with Saudi troops near the Yemeni border. The sources added that the Saudi army received further sophisticated equipment that helps in controlling the spread of Houthis.
Saudi Arabia announced two weeks ago that it began a series of military operations to clear its areas near the border with Yemen of Houthis, whom it accuses of sneaking into its territory, and killing several officers and soldiers.
In Sana’a, a Yemeni security source said that security authorities obtained accurate information from detained Somalis uncovering involvement of foreign parties in providing support for Houthis, including training their fighters and teaching them how to handle heavy and medium arms and set up ambushes.
During last Friday’s sermon, Kadhim Sadiqi, an Iranian mosque preacher, accused the Yemeni government of killing its own people by Saudi rockets.
The Iranian news agency (IRNA) quoted Sadiqi as saying that tragic catastrophes are occurring in Yemen with Saudi rockets being used to annihilate innocent citizens in north Yemen. He urged the Organization of Islamic Conference and other international organizations to demonstrate a good position about the conflict. Sadiqi also criticized the Yemeni government for allowing foreigners to intervene in its domestic issues and kill its citizens.