DUBAI: The Yemeni army advanced toward the town of Al-Barah, west of Taiz, on Sunday following fierce clashes with the Iran-backed Houthi militia, Saudi state-news channel Al-Ekhbariya reported. A Yemeni military source said the troops’ progress followed an offensive on militia positions north of Khalid bin Walid camp near the city of Al-Barah. They also liberated Al-Qaffasa and Tabba Sawda. The army’s advance was assisted by aerial support from fighter jets and Apache helicopters, the source explained, adding that fighting was still underway. But the national army’s advance has not been an easy one, progress has been hindered by large areas littered with land mines and improvised explosive devices, a statement on the Yemeni Ministry of Defense’s official website “September 26” added. The Houthis suffered heavy casualties in the fighting, which also led to the destruction of much of its military hardware.