Yemen coalition readies for 10,000-troop Sana’a offensive

At least 10,000 coalition troops are preparing for an air and ground offensive on the Yemeni capital Sana’a, according to a new agency run by Yemen’s exiled government.

Al Houthi rebels seized the city in September last year forcing president Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to flee.

Gulf Arab countries have intensified air strikes on the capital and other parts of the country since Friday, following the death of at least 60 Emirati, Saudi and Bahraini soldiers in a missile attack by the rebels.

The death of the troops marked the UAE’s heaviest military loss, with 45 Emirati soldiers among the dead. The country has observed a period of mourning this week and pledged to quickly avenge the deaths.

News of the offensive follows reports from Al Jazeera that the number of troops deployed by the Saudi-led alliance had increased to 10,000.

Earlier this week, it was reported that Qatar had deployed 1,000 ground troops to the country including 200 armoured vehicles and 30 apache helicopters.

More Qatari forces are expected, with the aim of securing the Jawf governorate, according to reports.

Coalition forces began their military offensive against the Houthis in March after the Shia rebels took control of the county.

Since then, Yemen’s second city Aden has been recaptured and the rebels have been pushed back from five southern provinces.

The Yemen conflict has so far claimed 4,500 lives, according to the UN.