Lahij insurgency
{{Short description|Insurgency of the Yemeni Civil War}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{infobox military conflict
| conflict = Lahij insurgency
| partof = the Yemeni Civil War (2014–present) and the Saudi Arabian-led intervention in Yemen
| image = Lahij in Yemen.svg
| image_size = 300px
| caption = Lahij Governorate
| date = 27 March – 4 August 2015
({{Age in years, months, weeks and days|month1=03|day1=27|year1=2015|month2=08|day2=04|year2=2015}})
| place = Lahij Governorate, Yemen
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| result = Cabinet of Yemen/Coalition victory
| status =
| combatant1 = {{flagicon|Yemen}} Supreme Revolutionary Committee{{cite news|url=http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/143295/asher-orkaby/houthi-who|agency=Foreign Affairs|title=Houthi Who?|first=Asher|last=Orkaby|date=25 March 2015|accessdate=25 March 2015}}
- {{flagicon image|Houthis Logo.png}} Houthi fighters
- {{flagicon image|Yemeni Armed Forces Emblem.svg}} Security Forces (pro-Saleh)
- {{flagicon image|Yemeni Republican Guard Flag.svg}} Yemeni Republican Guard
| combatant2 = {{flagicon|Yemen}} Cabinet of Yemen
- {{flagicon image|Yemeni Armed Forces Emblem.svg}} Security Forces (pro-Hadi)
- People's Committees
- Popular resistance
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{{Collapsible list
|bullets =yes
|title = Arab Coalition
|{{flag|Saudi Arabia}}{{cite news|agency=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/26/world/middleeast/al-anad-air-base-houthis-yemen.html|title=Saudi Arabia Begins Air Assault in Yemen|work=The New York Times |date=25 March 2015|accessdate=25 March 2015|last1=Mazzetti |first1=Mark |last2=Kirkpatrick |first2=David D. }}{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/yemens-houthi-militants-take-al-anad-air-base-1427275251?mod=e2tw|title=Saudi Arabia Launches Military Operations in Yemen|author=Felicia Schwartz, Hakim Almasmari and Asa Fitch|date=26 March 2015|work=WSJ|access-date=8 March 2017|archive-date=24 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224163604/https://www.wsj.com/articles/yemens-houthi-militants-take-al-anad-air-base-1427275251?mod=e2tw|url-status=dead}} (leader)
|{{flag|Egypt}}{{cite news|url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/25/middleeast/yemen-unrest/|agency=CNN|title=Saudi Arabia launches airstrikes in Yemen|date=26 March 2015|accessdate=25 March 2015}}
|{{flag|United Arab Emirates}}
Supported by:|{{flag|United States}}{{cite news |url=http://abcnews.go.com/International/us-rescues-saudi-pilots-gulf-aden/story?id=29965427|publisher=ABC News |title=US Rescues 2 Saudi Pilots from Gulf of Aden|date=27 March 2015 |first=Luis|last=Martinez |access-date=7 April 2015}}{{cite web |url= http://state.gov/md263030.htm#YEMEN |title=Daily Press Briefing |publisher=United States Department of State |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170806101401/https://www.state.gov/md263030.htm#YEMEN |archive-date=6 August 2017}}{{cite web |title=Why the hell is the US helping Saudi Arabia bomb Yemen? A brief guide | first =Zack | last = Beauchamp |date=14 October 2016 |website= Vox |url= https://www.vox.com/world/2016/10/14/13269580/us-bombing-yemen-houthis}}
|{{flag|United Kingdom}}{{efn|training, intelligence, logistical support, weapons, and blockade up to 2017{{cite web |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/news/15684870.British_support_of_Saudi_Arabian_military_should_shame_us_all__says_SNP_MP/ |title=British support of Saudi Arabian military should shame us all, says SNP MP|website=HeraldScotland|access-date=9 February 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://dailytimes.com.pk/149730/yemen-means-pakistan/|title=Yemen — and what it means for Pakistan |date=30 November 2017 |website=Daily Times |access-date=9 February 2018}}{{cite news |last=Loveluck |first=Louisa |title=Britain 'fuelling war in Yemen' through arms sales, says charity |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=11 September 2015 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/yemen/11859822/Britain-fuelling-war-in-Yemen-through-arms-sales-says-charity.html |archive-url=https://www.webcitation.org/6chDTDNX5?url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/yemen/11859822/Britain-fuelling-war-in-Yemen-through-arms-sales-says-charity.html |archive-date=31 October 2015 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jun/05/saudi-led-naval-blockade-worsens-yemen-humanitarian-disaster |newspaper=The Guardian |title=Saudi-led naval blockade leaves 20 m Yemenis facing humanitarian disaster |date=5 June 2015|first=Julian |last=Borger |author-link=Julian Borger |access-date=31 October 2015}}}}|{{flag|France}}|{{flag|Canada}}
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{{flagicon image|ShababFlag.svg}} Al-Qaeda Emirate in Yemen
- {{flagicon image|ShababFlag.svg}} AQAP
}}
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| casualties1 = 470–745 killed
| casualties2 = 242–259 killed
}}
{{Campaignbox Yemeni Crisis}}
The Lahij insurgency was a subconflict in the Yemeni Civil War waged in 2015 by tribesmen loyal to Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi against the Houthis and Yemen Army units loyal to Ali Abdullah Saleh, who controlled most of the Lahij Governorate of Yemen. In late July, pro-Hadi forces had launched an offensive to recapture Al Anad Air Base and the rest of Lahij Governorate. On 4 August, pro-Hadi forces had retaken full control of the Lahij Governorate.
Background
On 24 March, heavy fighting erupted in the Lahij Governorate as Houthi forces advanced.{{cite news|url=http://www.romandie.com/news/Les-forces-hostiles-au-president-resserrent-l039etau/577912.rom|title=Les forces hostiles au président resserrent l'étau sur Aden|agency=Romandie|date=24 March 2015|accessdate=24 March 2015|language=French}}
On the morning of 25 March, the Houthis seized Al Anad Air Base, which had recently been abandoned by the American special forces.{{cite news|url=http://www.lorientlejour.com/article/917483/yemen-les-forces-hostiles-au-president-semparent-dune-base-proche-daden-militaire.html|title=Yémen : les forces hostiles au président s'emparent d'une base proche d'Aden (militaire)|date=25 March 2015|accessdate=25 March 2015|agency=L'Orient Le Jour|language=French}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/03/26/world/middleeast/al-anad-air-base-houthis-yemen.html?_r=0|title=Yemen Air Base Formerly Used by U.S. Forces Is Seized by Houthi Rebels|work=The New York Times |date=25 March 2015|accessdate=26 March 2015|agency=NYtimes|last1=Mazzetti |first1=Mark |last2=Kirkpatrick |first2=David D. }} Soon after, the Houthis also captured Al Houta, where they took the Defence Minister Mahmoud al-Subaihi, one of Hadi's top lieutenants, prisoner and transferred him to Sanaa. In addition, the Houthi-allied 33rd Armored Brigade captured the towns of Al-Habilain and Al-Malah. With this, the Houthis had gained control of Lahij Province.{{cite news|url=http://www.yementimes.com/en/1871/news/4999/Al-Subaihi-captured-and-Lahj-falls-as-Houthis-move-on-Aden.htm|agency=Yemen Times|title=AL-SUBAIHI CAPTURED AND LAHJ FALLS AS HOUTHIS MOVE ON ADEN|date=25 March 2015|accessdate=25 March 2015|archive-date=5 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005231423/http://www.yementimes.com/en/1871/news/4999/Al-Subaihi-captured-and-Lahj-falls-as-Houthis-move-on-Aden.htm|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/yemens-president-hadi-flees-houthi-rebel-advance-aden-ap-n329761|title=Yemen's President Hadi Flees Houthi Rebel Advance on Aden: AP|agency=nbcnews|date=25 March 2015|accessdate=26 March 2015}}
The insurgency
On 27 March, 15–20 Houthi fighters were killed in an ambush in the Wahat region.{{cite web|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/03/27/Sources-15-Houthi-rebels-killed-in-ambush-south-of-Yemen.html|title=Sources: 15 Houthi rebels killed in ambush in southern Yemen|date=27 March 2015 |publisher=|accessdate=9 April 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://www.aa.com.tr/en/world/484919--20-houthis-killed-in-ambush-in-yemens-lahij|title=20 Houthis killed in ambush in Yemen's Lahij|author=Anadolu Ajansı (c) 2011|publisher=|accessdate=9 April 2015}} Two days later, a landmine explosion killed another 25 Houthi fighters, while they were heading to Aden to reinforce their troops fighting for the city.{{cite web|url=http://durdurnews.com/houthi-offensive-continues-in-yemen/|title=Houthi Offensive Continues in Yemen - Durdurnews|accessdate=9 April 2015|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20150409120938/http://durdurnews.com/houthi-offensive-continues-in-yemen/|archivedate=9 April 2015}}
On 6 April, Saudi-led coalition air-strikes hit the Al Anad Air Base and a military camp killing 10 fighters,{{cite web|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2015/Apr-06/293437-red-cross-aid-plane-to-yemen-held-back-by-logistics-problems.ashx|title=Yemen clashes kill more than 100 as aid delayed|work=The Daily Star Newspaper - Lebanon|accessdate=9 April 2015}} while on 8 April, eight Houthis were killed in an ambush by tribal fighters in the Karsh region.{{cite web|url=http://www.worldbulletin.net/todays-news/157574/8-houthis-killed-in-ambush-in-yemens-lahij|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150409152337/http://www.worldbulletin.net/todays-news/157574/8-houthis-killed-in-ambush-in-yemens-lahij|url-status=usurped|archive-date=9 April 2015|title=8 Houthis killed in ambush in Yemen's Lahij - Middle East - Worldbulletin News|work=World Bulletin|accessdate=9 April 2015}}
On 11 April, 18 Houthi fighters were killed in an ambush while heading to Aden.{{cite web|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2015/Apr-11/294149-25-dead-in-latest-clashes-in-southern-yemen.ashx|title=More aid reaches Yemen capital as clashes rage in south|date=11 April 2015|publisher=|accessdate=28 December 2016}} Two days later, a suspected Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) bombing left 15 pro-Houthi soldiers dead in Al Houta.[http://www.globalpost.com/article/6514836/2015/04/13/army-troops-hit-bomb-southern-yemen-15-killed Army troops hit by bomb in southern Yemen, 15 killed] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716045331/http://www.globalpost.com/article/6514836/2015/04/13/army-troops-hit-bomb-southern-yemen-15-killed |date=2015-07-16 }}
On 13 April, anti-Houthi fighters claimed to have killed 15 in an attack on a Houthi tank using machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades in Al Houta.{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-yemen-security-idUSKBN0N50TF20150414|work=Reuters|title=Iran puts forward Yemen peace plan as Houthis suffer battlefield setbacks|date=14 April 2015|accessdate=14 April 2015}}
On 1 July, a Coalition air-strike reportedly killed 13 Houthi fighters.{{cite web|url=http://www.interaksyon.com/article/113465/yemeni-rebels-kill-31-as-un-declares-highest-level-emergency|title=Yemeni rebels kill 31 as UN declares highest-level emergency|publisher=|accessdate=28 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160130103846/http://www.interaksyon.com/article/113465/yemeni-rebels-kill-31-as-un-declares-highest-level-emergency|archive-date=30 January 2016|url-status=dead}}
On 3 August, Pro-Hadi Forces recaptured Al Anad Air Base from Houthi rebels after besieging the base for two weeks.{{cite news|url=http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2015/08/03/Houthi-chief-ready-for-political-settlement-.html|agency=Al Arabiya|title=Yemeni military base captured from Houthis|date=3 August 2015|accessdate=3 August 2015}}
On 4 August, Pro-Hadi Forces recaptured the entire Lahij Province from Houthi and Pro-Saleh forces.{{cite web|url=http://www.aa.com.tr/en/news/568169--yemens-lahij-captured-by-pro-hadi-forces-sources|title=Yemen's Lahij captured by pro-Hadi forces: Sources|publisher=|accessdate=28 December 2016}}
Aftermath
In October 2016, local media reports said that at least 40 Houthi fighters were killed or injured during clashes with the government forces in hilly regions bordering Taiz in Lahij. Five loyalists were killed while fighting the assault.{{cite news|title=Civilians killed as Al Houthis shell Taiz|url=https://gulfnews.com/world/gulf/yemen/civilians-killed-as-al-houthis-shell-taiz-1.1910825|publisher=Gulf News|first=Saeed|last=Al Batati|date=11 October 2016|accessdate=22 June 2023}}
See also
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Yemeni Civil War (2015)}}
{{Middle East conflicts}}
{{Yemen topics}}
{{coord|13.1548|N|44.8236|E|source:wikidata|display=title}}
Category:Battles involving Yemen
Category:Military operations of the Yemeni civil war (2014–present)
Category:Lahij Governorate in the Yemeni civil war (2014–present)