Houthis and The Islamic State Claim Attacks in Yemen as Fighting Continues

Reports are indicating that as many as 22 troops from the United Arab Emirates (UAE)’s 104^th Brigade were killed in Yemen overnight. Iranian-backed Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for what they say was a successful rocket attack against a U.A.E. military camp at Safir in Marib province, Yemen. U.A.E. government sources deny the claim, countering that the explosions were the result of a fire breaking out near the camp’s ammunition dump.

Marib province has been the scene of recent fighting between the Saudi-led coalition and the Iranian backed Houthi Shia rebels. The Saudi coalition is preparing for a large attack in the coming days. If successful they can advance into Jawf province, then on to Saada, the Houthis Northern stronghold.

Elsewhere in Yemen, on September 2 two bombings occurred at the al-Mo’ayyad mosque in Sana’a, which is controlled by the Houthis. The first was a suicide bomb that was detonated during evening prayers. It was followed up by a secondary car bomb targeting first responders as they attempted to treat those wounded outside the mosque. These explosions resulted in 28 deaths and 75 injured. IS had carried out a similar attack on March 20^th in Sana’a at another mosque killing 137 and injuring 345. This is the fifth mosque attack over the last two months in Sana’a, targeting the Houthis.

The Islamic States claimed responsibility for the attack on the mosque through social media. The message described the assault as revenge against the Shiite rebels, the Houthis, who control Sana’a.

Yemen’s President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi fled the country in January amidst pressure from the Houthi rebels. Backed by the Saudi government coalition, which began airstrikes against the Houthis in March a coalition of Hadi supporters, together with other anti-Houthi forces, have slowly but steadily rolled back the Houthi advance.