On December 9, forces loyal to Saudi-backed President Hadi announced that its fighters captured the area of al-Nabishen east of the Albuqa region between the northern governorates of Saada and al-Jawf. The Saudi-led coalition also announced that it destroyed an ammo depot and killed 15 fighters of the Houthis in an airstrike on al-Jawf.
From its side, the Houthis announced that their fighters captured Tabat al-Khazan area and several positions around it in Mawaza district of Taiz governorate on Decembers 9. During the clashes Houthis fighters destroyed two vehicles of the Saudi-led coalition with ATGMs and captured one, according to the Yemeni al-Masirah TV.
In western Yemen, the UAE Army deployed a large force to support the ongoing attack of pro-Hadi forces, which is aimed at capturing the port of al-Hudaydah. The UAE force was seen with heavy weapons including AMX Leclerc tanks, G6 Rhino, M109 self-propelled howitzers and Agrab Mk 2 120mm Mobile Mortar Systems (MMS).
However, pro-Hadi forces and the UAE Army were not able to advance because of the strong resistance from the Houthis. According to al-Masirah, 5 armored vehicles, and 12 vehicles of pro-Hadi forces were destroyed by the Houthis on the coastal line south of al-Hudaydah on December 9.
The battles in northern and western Yemen will likely intensify in the upcoming days, as the Saudi-led coalition appears to be determined to capture the port of al-Hudaydah and to isolate the Houthis heartland, Sadaa governorate.
