The Houthi militants in Yemen’s Hodeidah have evacuated dozens of Iranian “advisors” from the city as the Yemeni army, backed by the Arab coalition, continued its advance in the area.
Secretary of the Hodeidah district, Walid al-Qadimi told Asharq Al-Awsat that some 50 Iranian experts were evacuated from the city towards the capital Sanaa and the Hajjah region, where masses of Houthis fighters are deployed.
He revealed that the Iranians were evacuated in ambulances, in violation of international rules of war.
Some experts have remained in Hodeidah, specifically in the mountainous regions near the city, he added.
They have remained to oversee the military operations, but chose to steer clear of possible army and coalition targets, Qadimi explained.
The army is, however, monitoring their movement in order to capture them before they have the opportunity to flee, he stressed.
Sources from the Yemeni military had previously told Asharq Al-Awsat that some 150 Iranian advisors were located between Sanaa and Hodeidah and they are tasked with supporting the Houthis’ military capabilities.
In Hodeidah city, Qadimi said that senior Houthi commanders are fleeing the area and the majority of the extremist fighters have escaped to Saada.
Those who have remained were brought in from Amran, Dhamar and Hajjah, he revealed. The militias have also paid thugs and outlaws to head to the city to engage the military in guerrilla warfare once they enter the area.
