Saudi Ministry of Defense Briefing: Operation Decisive Storm - April 16

WASHINGTON, April 16, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The following is a summary of the daily press briefing held today in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on the developments of Operation Decisive Storm. The briefing was conducted by Brig. Gen. Ahmed bin Hasan Asiri, advisor in the Office of the Minister of Defense.

• Yemeni army brigades are continuing to abandon the Houthi movement and re-join the Yemeni forces. Today, the 90^th Marine Brigade abandoned the militia.  
• After the recent defection of many Yemeni military commanders associated with former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, the Houthis now lack an effective command and control. The coalition has successfully loosened the relationship between former President Saleh and the Houthi militias, which was a primary objective of Operation Decisive Storm. Individual Houthis still loyal to former President Saleh have turned their attention toward random, scattered attacks instead of a cohesive military strategy.
• Houthi militias have adopted a defensive posture, making them more vulnerable to coalition airstrikes.
• The Houthis have focused their operations along the Saudi-Yemen border, especially the Najran and Jazan Sectors. Saudi Land Forces respond to the daily attacks to preserve a secure border. After receiving specific intelligence, the coalition was able to thwart a plan to attack the Saudi border by targeting Houthi fuel tanks and weapons storage sites.
• In Aden, Houthi militias remained isolated and scattered. The coalition is in contact with the people's committees and other resistance movements to target the remaining militia.
• The coalition continues to air drop weapons, supplies and food to support the forces on the ground.
• The Houthi militias are continuing to take refuge in heavily populated areas; including schools, hotels and hospitals.
• Operations near Sana'a have eased. The Houthi militias near Sana'a are retreating north. The coalition targeted and destroyed Houthi military equipment, including Scud missiles and rocket launching pads, which they were attempting to move north.
• In Taiz, the 35^th Brigade, which supports the legitimate government, is fighting with Houthi militias. The coalition is providing support with airstrikes.
• The coalition plans to increase the number of warships in Yemeni waters.
• The Red Cross was about to provide humanitarian aid in recent days, despite difficulty in transporting the aid from the ports to the cities. Government military units, people's committees, and tribesmen are assisting in delivering emergency supplies. Houthi militias have made transportation very difficult, but the coalition and relief agencies are committed to delivering the aid to those in need.

SOURCE Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, Information Office

Related Links

http://www.saudiembassy.net

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