World

'Limited' coalition force on ground in Aden: Yemeni official

Troops will mainly back pro-Hadi fighters around the rebel-held international airport

Afp May 03, 2015

a saudi armoured vehicle standing guard along the saudi border with yemen april 21 2015 a quot limited quot number of saudi led ground troops were deployed in yemen 039 s second city aden on sunday to support loyalist militia fighting rebels a government official and a commander said photo reuters

A Saudi armoured vehicle standing guard along the Saudi border with Yemen April 21, 2015. A "limited" number of Saudi-led ground troops were deployed in Yemen's second city Aden on Sunday to support loyalist militia fighting rebels, a government official and a commander said. PHOTO REUTERS

ADEN: A "limited" number of Saudi-led ground troops deployed in Yemen's second city Aden on Sunday to support loyalist militia fighting rebels, a government official and a militia commander said.

"A limited coalition force entered Aden and another force is on its way" to the southern port city, said the official who requested anonymity.

Read: Saudi-led coalition using cluster bombs in Yemen: HRW

The Saudi-led coalition has been conducting an air war against the Huthi rebels and their allies since March 26 but this is the first reported ground deployment inside the country.

A leading member of the popular committees, a locally recruited militia loyal to exiled President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, told AFP that the force "will start helping us in fighting the Huthis and (former president Ali Abdullah) Saleh's forces".

Read: Yemen violence kills 1,244, injures 5,044: WHO

He said the troops will mainly back pro-Hadi fighters around the rebel-held international airport, which was the focus of renewed heavy fighting overnight.

Other militia commanders confirmed that a few dozen coalition soldiers, mostly Saudis and Emiratis of Yemeni origin, were on the ground in Aden.

Read: Iran says warships at entrance to key Yemen strait

The coalition declared an end to its Operation Decisive Storm on April 21, saying the campaign would enter a new phase dubbed Renewal of Hope focused on political efforts, aid deliveries and "fighting terrorism".

Coalition spokesman Brigadier General Ahmed Assiri had said repeatedly during the first phase that a ground intervention was on the table if needed.

Following was some reaction on Twitter on the development:

So Saudi has deployed ground forces in Aden? Let's now see how Yemen shapes up.
— Mwenda (@MwendaKev) May 3, 2015

Another photo claiming to show Saudi led coalition forces on the ground in #Aden #Yemen http://t.co/TqwDj5WGce
— Conflict News (@Conflicts) May 3, 2015

https://twitter.com/WilkinReports/status/594829776520622080

COMMENTS (1)

Salman - SK | 9 years ago | Reply Does not matter how strong outside coalition forces will be and how long they stay, ultimately the local forces dominated by the Houthis will prevail. That is the law of nature. You can use force but you cannot subdue those who intend to resist forever. Yemen is an unfortunate land, much like Pakistan, where its' leaders have enriched themselves by robbing the public blind, and desperately needs a change. We should be a part of the solution and not part of the problem.

Replying to X