Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTS8uVQl4QM
Description: TV report on the strategic importance of Ma’rib province for the fate of the ongoing conflict in Yemen, particularly following reports that Sana’a-led forces were on the verge of taking control over the entire Ma’rib governate.
Source: Al Maydeen TV
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Transcript:
Television presenter:
Welcome. The Yemeni army and armed forces are advancing in Ma’rib. We are witnessing a decisive battle because we are talking about the last northern city in Yemen that remains under the control of the government of Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi. Establishing control over this city would deal a heavy blow to this government and would be a major advantage to the (Sana’a-led) armed forces and the tribes of Ma’rib. So why Ma’rib?
The strategic, oil-rich governorate of Ma’rib lies to the east of the capital, Sana’a, about 120 km away from it. Al-Mayadeen sources confirm that Sana’a-led forces have taken control of Tala’at al-Hamra and surrounding sites in the Sarwah district, west of the (Ma’rib) governorate. This is taking place after a series of concentrated military operations on multiple fronts over the past year. (Following these operations, Sana’a-led forces) have gained control over multiple regions in Ma’rib, including Mahliya and Rahba in the south, Serwah about 30 km west of Ma’rib, and have seized control over the Coufal camp (i.e. the largest Hadi government military camp). In the meantime, hit-and-run raids continue in the north and northeastern districts of Ma’rib, such as Raghwan, Hailan, Al-Kassara, Jabal Murad, and others.
For the forces of Sana’a, gaining control over Ma’rib represents the fall of the last stronghold of the Hadi administration, and a further step towards controlling northern Yemen as a whole. It also provides an open road to the southern governorates such as Shabwa and Hadramout, leading to “the liberation of every inch of Yemen”, as a military commander in Ansarullah says.
According to the Carnegie Middle East Center, for the Hadi administration, Ma’rib is the last resort in the north for its political team, especially for the Islah party. AFP says the city was seen as a Saudi protectorate in which Riyadh invested heavily. Perhaps this is what explains the information gained by Al Mayadeen sources indicating that Hadi’s forces and the Saudi coalition are trying to use refugee camps in Ma’rib as human shields to prevent the (Sana’a-led) army and (popular) forces from advancing.
Will Israel (Netanyahu) make a diabolical deal with MbS and conduct napalm strikes on behalf of Saudi Arabia. I would put nothing past that butcher but God I hope not. The sick thing is that the action would be mostly praised in the U.S.
I think most people underestimate how weak Israel is.
Today’s Israel is no longer boldly battling and conquering every Arab neighbor at the same time, like they once were.
Today Israel hides behind Russia’s skirt, desperately and haphazardly lobbing bombs at Syria.
Today’s Israel cant conquer even tiny Lebanon or Stone Age Syria, let alone the sleeping giant which is Iran.
The Iranian noose tightens around the neck of the Zionist regime with every passing day. And even US intervention has not been able to prevent it or even slow it down.
There is nothing Israel can do now, politically or militarily, to save itself. Even lobbing nukes at Iran will not save them now. If anything, it will assure their immediate destruction.
The US must either lift sanctions against Iran now, which will quickly turn Iran into a very powerful player, considering how Iran is already a very powerful player under tremendous pressure. Or the US and Israel must sit and watch as Iran solidifies and expands its network of influence, which already stretches as far away as South America, which is to say, to continue what they have been doing.
Threats of military action against Iran are absurd. Iran can easily inflict casualties in the tens of thousands on US troops in the event of an invasion, which is an unacceptable number for the hegemon. But the truth of the matter is, in reality the US will probably incur over 70% loss of manpower in any invasion scenario against Iran. This is why the US has resorted instead to proxy warfare via ISIS terrorist clowns. The Iranians are not terrified one bit.
you are quite correct regarding israel. it has had 2 factors which long term render it weak and unable to do much beyond bark.
1. it is tiny and geographically indefensible against an enemy shooting modern precision missiles. its essential economy is located in the upper third of of nation well within range of all of hezbollahs modern missiles
2. as its economy and social structure has become increasingly americanized or should i say californianized its population has lost the tough spirit needed to maintain a fighting army which are now no more than prison guards for the hapless palestinians. against either syrian regualrs or hezbollah the idf does not stand a chance unless they can keep 100% air support which is no longer possible.
israel will be very lucky indeed if they still exist as now configured in 2050.
2050?? Why such pessimism.
Iran’s capacity to endure suffering is enormous. Iran has a culture of martyrdom and revenge. Israel is setting up Biden in a trap. It will back fire just like the war on Iraq has backfired. Who misses Saddam Hussein? Netanyahu misses Saddam. Israel wanted to get rid of the PLO, and they got Hamas and Hezbollah. Currently, Israel’s enemies are battled hardened; whereas, Israel’s finest has military experience as snipers killing children, nurses, medics and protesters. The US is destined to die the death of a thousand cuts.