Taiz, Yemen, Jumada I 10, 1438, Feb 7, 2017, SPA -- The Yemeni army and the popular resistance together succeeded to liberate most neighborhoods and residential areas of the Yemeni city of Al-Makha in Taiz province from the grip of Houthi militias and deposed president Ali Abdullah Saleh whose forces are now trying to use civilians as human shields following the great victories in east and west of the city. A military source in Taiz zone told the Yemeni news agency SABA that the national army has completed the purification of some districts in which the remnants of the militia were taking refuge as residents of Al-Makha came out to greet the army and resistance in the liberated areas in downtown Al-Makha. He said the military battle is in progress chasing the remnants of the defeated militias after opening safe havens for the people to leave homes and residential areas. The army said as many as 20 militia members surrendered to the Yemeni army and considered prisoners of war, some killed and others fled away. --SPA 21:03 LOCAL TIME 18:03 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/w327734