Battle of Port Midi

Battle of Port Midi
Part of Yemeni Civil War (2015–present) and
the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen
DateMain Battle: 19 December 2015 – 6 January 2016[1]
Insurgency: Late January 2016 - present (Only some attacks, Midi still under loyalist occupation, conflict spreads in the rest of Hajjah region)
LocationMidi District, Hajjah Governorate, Yemen
Result

Hadi/Coalition victory

  • Port of Midi captured by Hadi loyalists
  • Continued insurgency
  • Conflict spreads in the rest of Hajjah region
Belligerents

 Yemen (Houthi government)

 Iran

 Yemen (Hadi government)

Southern Movement
 Saudi Arabia

Commanders and leaders
Unknown Unknown pro-Hadi commander †[2]
General Yehia al-Khayati (DOW)[3]
Casualties and losses
Unknown 20+
78-129 civilians killed, and 100+ injured all around the Hajjah governorate

The battle of Port Midi refers to a battle between the Saudi coalition backed Hadi loyalists, and the Houthi government. Throughout the port is seized by the Hadi loyalists, the Houthi fighters along with the popular committed have managed to conduct some attacks in Midi area. The conflict also spillovers in the rest of the Hajjah region.

The main battle

The battle begin in 19 December 2015, when the loyalists captured the city of Haradh after fierce fighting left some dozens dead in both side. The port was a place of very strategic meaning for the Houthis because they have used the Midi to bring weapons in their capital, Sana'a, and for using the surrounding border to launch missile rocked against Saudi Arabian villages. At the end of December, the loyalists have advanced the port very quickly as the managed to capture the surrounding area pushing the Houthis back. The Houthi fighters during the battle, have suffered airstrikes from the Saudi Arabia and their coalition.[4] In 7 January 2016, the loyalists captured the Midi after reported heavily fighting, but despite losing Midi, the Houthis, along with a battalion of troops loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, still maintain control over a long stretch of the coastline.[5][6]

Insurgency

After the recapturing of Midi by the Hadi loyalists, the Saudi Arabia soldiers set a base for their operations, but an attack conducted by popular committees and Houthi fighters, in January 27, 2016, left at least 3 Saudi fighters dead.[7] A week later in 5 of February 2016, Houthi snipers ambushed Saudi troops killing 9 of them. The attackers escaped like the previous time.[8] In 8 of February, popular committees aligned with the Houthi Government, attacked Saudi soldiers reaching to reinforce the Midi area, destroying at least 2 armored vehicles before escaping.[9] Four days later, on 12 of February, fighters of popular committees backed by Houthi government, shot down an Saudi hostile surveillance plane, flying in Midi district. No casualties reported.[10] In 6 March, Saudi jets launch 11 raids on Midi district targeting alleged pro Houthi targets. No casualties reported.[11] On late March, a Saudi airstrike killed more than 78 civilians, including 22 children. The death toll later arises to 107, with some Humanitarian organizations to claims that 129 killed in the airstrikes, and more than 100 wounded. up to 129 civilians killed.[12][13]

On 10 July, a local pro-Hadi commander was killed by a missile strike launched by pro-Houthi army forces.[2]

On 3 September, Houthi forces launched an offensive along the region, killing at least 11 soldiers and wounding another 28, according to pro-Hadi forces. Saudi warplanes also launched at least 15 airstrikes against the advancing Houthi forces. Reports also emerged that Houthi fighter have captured the port from loyalist.[14]

In mid-November, fifteen loyalists and 23 fighters were killed in the clashes as loyalists launched an attack on three fronts to recapture the town of Midi and nearby Haradh.[15]

On the night of 22 November, three soldiers were killed and four wounded by Houthi sniper fire near Midi town.[16] On the other day, fighting around the town of Midi cost the lives of 18 Houthis and four government soldiers, according to a loyalist commander on the ground.[17]

On 26 November, pro-Hadi forces said 22 Houthis were killed in artillery shelling and clashes with government forces in Midi district.[18]

References

  1. ↑ Jigmey Bhutia. "Yemen: Scores of Houthi rebels and government troops killed in fresh fighting near Saudi border". International Business Times UK. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  2. 1 2 "Yemen: Pro-Hadi Commander, 25 Others Killed in Yemeni Ballistic Missile Strike in Ma'rib". Farsnews. 10 July 2016. Retrieved 10 July 2016.
  3. ↑ "Fresh clashes in Yemen kill 20, say military officials – American held in Yemen freed, evacuated to Oman".
  4. ↑ "Pro-government troops in Yemen recapture strategic port town". Middle East Eye. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  5. ↑ "Houthi-held port of Midi seized by Yemen troops after fierce fighting". The Japan Times. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  6. ↑ "Yemen troops seize Midi port from Houthis". Emirates 24-7. Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  7. ↑ "PressTV". Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  8. ↑ "PressTV". Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  9. ↑ "Saba Net - Yemen news agency". Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  10. ↑ "Saba Net - Yemen news agency". Retrieved 6 March 2016.
  11. ↑ "Saba Net - Yemen news agency".
  12. ↑ "Saudi Arabia to scale back Yemen attacks as airstrike death toll rises". the Guardian.
  13. ↑ Hakim Almasmari and Hamdi Alkhshali, CNN (16 March 2016). "Airstrike in northern Yemen kills dozens". CNN.
  14. ↑ "11 Troops Killed in Houthi Offensive Against North Yemen Port". 4 September 2016.
  15. ↑ "Scores reported dead in heavy fighting in Yemen".
  16. ↑ "Renewed clashes kill at least 19 in Yemen".
  17. ↑ "Renewed clashes in Yemen kill more than 40".
  18. ↑ "Scores of Houthi rebels killed in Yemen fighting".


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