File image.
The Houthis (Ansar Allah) on August 30 released video footage showing a series of drone strikes that targeted Saudi-backed Yemen government forces on several fronts across the country.
The 10-minute video shows dozens of strikes that hit fighters, vehicles, and positions. The group didn’t specify when or where the strikes took place.
According to the Houthis, the strikes were carried out using Rujum, a bomber drone based on the Chinese-made YD6-1000S hexacopter. The drone has a 44-minute flight time with a 2 kg payload. It has been modified by the group to carry and drop different types of munitions, like 60 mm mortars.
After the release of the footage, a Houthi military source told the Sabaa news agency that the strikes thwarted Saudi plans and preparations for a ground offensive.
“We reiterate our call to all the people of Yemen in occupied areas not to get involved in Saudi troop mobilizations intended for a ground offensive aimed at dissuading the Yemeni people from demanding their legitimate rights,” the source said.
The Houthis announced a “maritime blockade” against Saudi Arabia last month, and since then, the group has carried out a series of attacks targeting Saudi airports, oil facilities, Yemeni government forces, infrastructure in the country, and tankers in the Red Sea.
Several recent reports revealed that Saudi Arabia has been preparing for a ground offensive against the Houthis in Yemen. However, one report by Israeli broadcaster Kan revealed that these plans faced a setback recently as the U.S. rejected a request by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to “take the lead in the war” on the group.
A source told the broadcaster that the Saudi request was raised during a meeting held earlier this month between bin Salman and U.S. Central Command Commander Gen. Brad Cooper.
The source stressed that Washington rejected the kingdom’s request, particularly as the Houthis “are not currently directing fire at American vessels in the Red Sea and are focusing on Saudi ships.”
Still, Washington told bin Salman that it would support “Saudi military moves” against the group, according to the source.
Kan reported that Riyadh’s request comes as Saudi Arabia seeks to avoid being drawn back into the “Yemeni quagmire,” against the backdrop of its previous experience in the country. The U.S. rejection, meanwhile, reflects Washington’s reluctance to open another combat front in the Middle East.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence
NOW hosted at southfront.press
Previously, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.org.
The .org domain name had been blocked by the US (NATO) (https://southfront.press/southfront-org-blocked-by-u-s-controlled-global-internet-supervisor/) globally, outlawed and without any explanation
Back before that, from 2013 to 2015, SouthFront: Analysis and Intelligence was at southfront.com
