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22 UAE soldiers killed in Yemen fighting UAE soldiers killed in Yemen fighting
(about 5 hours later)
Twenty-two soldiers from the United Arab Emirates have been killed while taking part in Saudi-led operations in Yemen against Houthirebels – the largest single loss for the Gulf nation’s military in the conflict. Forty-five soldiers from the United Arab Emirates have been killed while taking part in Saudi-led operations in Yemen against Houthi rebels – the deadliest day ever for the Emirati military since the founding of the UAE federation in 1971.
In a one-line statement, the country’s official news agency, WAM, said 23 troops later died of their wounds, after reporting earlier on Friday that 22 had been killed while taking part in Saudi-led operations in Yemen against Shiite rebels, known as Houthis.
Pro-government Yemeni security officials said the troops were killed on Friday when a Houthi missile hit a weapons storage depot near their position in the province of Marib. Officials from the Houthi media office in Sana’a confirmed they fired a Soviet-era Tochka missile.Pro-government Yemeni security officials said the troops were killed on Friday when a Houthi missile hit a weapons storage depot near their position in the province of Marib. Officials from the Houthi media office in Sana’a confirmed they fired a Soviet-era Tochka missile.
The UAE’s official WAM news agency did not specify the role of the personnel in Yemen. The seven-state Emirates federation is one of the most prominent members of the Saudi-led coalition, which aims to roll back gains by the Shia rebels and their allies. WAM did not specify the role of the personnel in Yemen. The seven-state Emirates federation is one of the most prominent members of the Saudi-led coalition, which aims to roll back gains by the Shia rebels and their allies.
Fighting in Yemen pits the Houthis and army units loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh against forces loyal to President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who is in self-imposed exile in Saudi Arabia, as well as southern separatists and local militias.Fighting in Yemen pits the Houthis and army units loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh against forces loyal to President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who is in self-imposed exile in Saudi Arabia, as well as southern separatists and local militias.
The Saudi-led and US-backed coalition has been carrying out airstrikes against the rebels since March. Houthis have captured more territory around Yemen after taking control of the capital, Sana’a, last September.The Saudi-led and US-backed coalition has been carrying out airstrikes against the rebels since March. Houthis have captured more territory around Yemen after taking control of the capital, Sana’a, last September.
Clashes between Houthis and pro-government forces, as well as airstrikes from the Saudi-led coalition, intensified this week in Marib as the opposing sides gear up for a critical battle over the coming days.Clashes between Houthis and pro-government forces, as well as airstrikes from the Saudi-led coalition, intensified this week in Marib as the opposing sides gear up for a critical battle over the coming days.
Pro-government forces want to clear Marib province of Houthi fighters, then proceed on to Jawf province, then to Saada, the Houthis’ stronghold in the north, the security officials said.Pro-government forces want to clear Marib province of Houthi fighters, then proceed on to Jawf province, then to Saada, the Houthis’ stronghold in the north, the security officials said.