How Houthi forces won key Yemeni district

Ammar al-Ashwal

Feb 13, 2020

Pro-government army soldiers ride on the back or a truck in Fardhat Nahm area, which has recently been taken by the army from Houthi rebels around 60km (40 miles) from Yemen's capital Sanaa, February 20, 2016. REUTERS/Ali Owidha - GF10000316618 — Pro-government army soldiers ride on the back or a truck in Fardhat Nahm area, which has recently been taken by the army from Houthi rebels around 60 kilometers (40 miles) from Yemen's capital, Sanaa, Feb. 20, 2016. — REUTERS/Ali Owidha

After five years of advance and retreat, Yemen's Houthi rebels captured the country's critical Nahm district, east of the capital, Sanaa. Their victory forced national army forces — supported by a Saudi-led Arab coalition — to retreat to Marib province.

Some observers, however, believe the Houthis' success might have been due at least in part to Saudi Arabia putting its own interests ahead of winning the battle.