Yemen 2016 onwards: an intractable war?

[CrowBat]

Below the most accurate map of the situation in Yemen I was able to find recently.

Note: I modified it to show approx YNA's advance on Abbs and Hajjah, in NW Yemen, and YNA/Emirati advance on Zinjibar too.

[CrowBat]

Twitter reports on multiple air strikes on Mukhalla, air strikes on traffic management, and more (and bigger) air strikes.

[CrowBat]

This is something like official: Yemeni Troops, Backed by United Arab Emirates, Take City From Al Qaeda

..."Groups of Al Qaeda fighters fled the city in cars. I think they escaped towards mountains far from Al Mukalla after about 20 Aqap fighters were killed," Salem told The National.

Local tribes are believed to have convinced the militants to leave, he said.

“We entered the city centre and were met by no resistance from Al Qaeda militants who withdrew west" towards the vast desert in Hadramawt and Shabwa provinces, a military officer told Agence France-Presse.
...

Locals report the AQAP tried to give a fight, but then suffered heavy casualties to Emirati (probably Saudi too) fire-power, bow and fled the battlefield.

Bottom line: Mukhalla is now in Emirati and YNA's hands.

[CrowBat]

BTW, the amphibious assault on Mukhalla was actually led by RSN's SEALs, followed by Saudi Marines. But, these are not mentioned by anybody with even a single word.

If any foreign forces are cited, then 'Emiratis only'.

[CrowBat]

Twitter reports from Mukhalla area are indicating that the AQAP not only suffered severe losses there, but de-facto collapsed and run away.

Locals are reporting that the 'Army' (guess they mean the YNA) has entered Buwaish - the next town east of Mukhalla, this morning.

[CrowBat]

One correction in regards of my post with the map attached (see above), in regards of the situation in Hajjah province (NW Yemen, on Saudi border and the coast of the Red Sea): the YNA didn't drive all the way from Harad to Abs after all.

Namely, after capturing the upper part of Harad, the YNA stopped its advance on Abs and tried to outflank the Houth/YA positions in lower Harad by advancing down the coast. The YNA captured most of the farms in this area, and secured all the hills, in turn securing the road from Midi to Hara too.

But, now comes the best part: while mopping up the area west of Harad, YNA discovered a big system of tunnels. Reportedly, this is extending for nearly 30km and connecting the area around Harad with the Saudi border.

Now, no doubt: this sounds fantastic. But, keep in mind: Houthis are controlling this area since at least five years, without interruption. Plus, existence of such tunnels would in turn explain the ability of the Houthi/YA/Saleh forces to 'suddenly appear behind' Saudi outposts on the border, back in autumn last year (mind all the 'spectacular' videos of knocked out M1s, M2/3s etc.).

The capture of this tunnel system is also an explanation for why this offensive was launched (and the last-before-last cease-fire breached) and why the Houthis/YA are not launching any forays into Saudi Arabia, this year. Indeed, these tunnels might be an explanation why Houthis asked for negotiations almost immediately after the YNA secured the area (and tunnels).

[CrowBat]

Further - and quick - advance of the YNA and coalition today: locals report that they've liberated the town of ash-Shahar, 60km east from Mukhalla 'up' the coast.

The AQAP just run away.

If this is truth, it could be one of new records in history of mechanized warfare..