Yemeni Forces Repel Saudi-Backed Advance in Eastern Al-Jawf, Kill and Capture Fighters
Yemen’s Military Media on Wednesday released initial footage showing Yemeni forces repelling an attempted advance by forces affiliated with the Saudi enemy in eastern Al-Jawf, with several fighters reportedly killed or captured and military vehicles and armored equipment destroyed.
The footage, dated September 9, shows dozens of military vehicles and armored units carrying fighters deployed across the Al-Labanat front in the Al-Jawf desert, reportedly preparing to advance toward populated areas under the cover of Saudi warplanes.
According to the report, Yemeni forces had closely monitored the formations and documented their movements before confronting the advance.
Saudi warplanes carried out airstrikes in an apparent attempt to clear the way for the advancing forces, but failed to prevent the ensuing ground confrontation.
The footage shows Yemeni forces engaging the advancing units and striking armored vehicles with Kornet missiles. Several vehicles were set ablaze, prompting the attacking forces to retreat and leaving behind dead and wounded fighters, as well as damaged and destroyed military equipment.
The Military Media also showed captured fighters being treated humanely, with Yemeni forces repeatedly telling them, “You are among your brothers.” The footage showed dozens of bodies in the desert, along with captured vehicles and weapons.
Yemeni Air Defenses also shot down a reconnaissance drone, with its wreckage shown scattered across the Al-Jawf desert.
The footage later showed captured fighters receiving medical treatment at Al-Hazm Hospital. Some detainees expressed regret over joining forces affiliated with the Saudi enemy and said they had been recruited with Saudi financial incentives before being left wounded in the desert without rescue for hours.
The Military Media said some of those captured were young recruits who had joined the Saudi-backed formations for money. The detainees later appeared in new clothing and described their recruitment and deployment by Saudi forces, as well as their eventual capture in Al-Jawf.
The attempted advance comes amid a sharp escalation of Saudi military operations against Yemen, with repeated airstrikes and troop mobilizations threatening to widen the confrontation on the ground.
Yemeni forces have repeatedly warned that any attempt to advance or impose military control over Yemeni territory will be met with resistance, while the latest footage was presented as evidence that Saudi-backed formations continue to face heavy losses when attempting to advance into Yemeni positions.