Houthi militias have turned huge coastal areas of Hodeida province into military zones by planting a large number of landmines in anticipation of a major military assault.
The Houthi measures reflect mounting concerns by militia leaders from the decisive battle to be launched by the army and the resistance forces backed by the Arab Coalition to liberate Hodeida province and regain control of its vital port.
In this context, locals told Asharq Al-Awsat that the group issued warnings to citizens against approaching several areas in the province’s western coast due to the randomly planted landmines.
Members of the Houthi group have banned civilian vehicles weighing more than two tons from approaching coastal areas that span from Hays, south Hodeida, to al-Luhayyah, al-Munirah and al-Salif, said the sources.
They asserted to Asharq Al-Awsat that the Houthi landmines were also planted in the area of Ras Issa Oil Terminal that had stopped operating after it was seized by the group.
The sources added that the insurgents have also erected checkpoints along the coast, and prevented heavy vehicles and buses from advancing towards the shores.
The group is highly dependent on internationally banned weapons to hinder the progress of government forces at various battlefronts. It also receives Lebanese and Iranian support and experience to manufacture different types and sizes of explosives and bombs.
Meanwhile, the Houthi version of Saba news agency reported that the insurgent government had approved during its session a draft-law to combat cyber crimes, and ordered to refer it to lawmakers in Sana’a for approval.
The law aims to clamp down on opposition activists on social media and messaging applications.
