Commander loyal to coalition killed in Marib clashes

MARIB, Aug. 02 (YPA) – A commander loyal to the Saudi-led coalition was killed on Monday in fierce clashes with tribal gunmen in Marib province, local source said.

The sources affirmed that Abdul Wahid Dokar al-Haddad”, commander of the “Second Brigade” of the Protection of Roads of the coalition forces, was killed along with a number of his escorts as a result of armed clashes that broke out between the coalition-backed the Islah militia and the sons of Damashqa tribe.

The clashes erupted between the two parties in “Al-Arqeen” area, east of the city of Marib, as a result of the refusal of the Damashqa tribes to create military sites of the coalition forces, in their areas in Wadi Abaidah, the sources added.

The sources indicated that both sides used all types of heavy weapons, including tanks during the confrontations.

Damashqa tribes were able to control the “Al-Erqeen” area and create military checkpoints on the international road linking the city of Marib, and Al-Abr area with Al-Wadia border crossing.

During the past hours, the coalition forces have been trying to create new defensive lines on the walls of the city of Marib, after the accelerated victories by the Sanaa forces on many fronts of the city.

AA