The Yemeni national army, backed by the Saudi-led Arab coalition, launched on Thursday a military operation to complete the liberation of the al-Malajeb region in the central al-Baydha region. The armed forces’ media center quoted a local commander, Mafrah Bhaibej, as saying: “The operation kicked off in the al-Hajfa region.” The legitimate forces have so far liberated the Jabal al-Deir, Bin Arab and Wasilat al-Wahiba regions. Some 40 kms have so far been liberated, he revealed. Only 18 kms separate the forces from the strategic Afar crossing. The capture of the area will cut off supply routes to the Iran-backed Houthis in several regions, including al-Baydha city, he explained. Some 25 Houthis have been killed and dozens wounded in the battles. Meanwhile, Yemeni Vice President Ali Mohsen Saleh hailed the Arab coalition’s intervention to liberate Yemen and restore its sovereignty. Saleh had held talks on the latest field developments with Chief of Staff Taher al-Aqeeli. The two officials condemned the Houthis’ terrorist attack against two Saudi oil tankers on Thursday, saying it reveals the group and Iran’s malign intentions.