Pro-coalition commanders killed in Marib battles

MARIB, March 07 (YPA) – Several military commanders in the Saudi-led coalition forces ranks were killed by Sanaa forces early dawn Tuesday, southwest of Marib city.

According to local sources in Marib, on the fourth day of fighting between the two sides south of Marib, a number of military officials, officers, and recruits of the so-called “Third Brigade of Shabwa Defense,” funded by the UAE, were killed by Sanaa troops’ fire.

The sources explained that the recruits of the “Third Brigade of Shabwa Defense,” with the support of the “Al-Amaliqa Brigades,” launched a new attack from their positions in the Usailan district of Shabwa province towards the sites of the Sanaa forces, north of Harib Marib district, for the fourth consecutive day.

After hard fighting between the two sides, the Sanaa forces were able to repel the offensive, forcing the coalition forces to retreat to their positions in the Usailan area after sustaining heavy casualties in both life and equipment.

According to sources, the coalition forces’ dead and injured were taken in secrecy to the Usailan district, where the Usailan Hospital issued a distress appeal for blood donations.

Fadl Ahmed Laqraa of Shabwa’s Radhom district and Salem Ali Sheikh Bahaj of Shabwa’s Habban district were among the coalition’s wounded leaders.