Battle of Port Midi

The battle of Port Midi refers to an battle between the Saudi coalition backed Hadi loyalists, and the Houthi government. Throughout the port is seized by the Hadi loyalists, the Houthi fighters along with the popular committed have managed to conduct some attacks in Midi area. The conflict also spillovers in the rest of the Hajjah region.

The main battle

The battle begin in 19 December 2015, when the loyalists captured the city of Haradh after fierce fighting left some dozens dead in both side. The port was a place of very strategic meaning for the Houthis because they have used the Midi to bring weapons in their capital, Sana'a, and for using the surrounding border to launch missile rocked against Saudi Arabian villages. At the end of December, the loyalists have advanced the port very quickly as the managed to capture the surrounding area pushing the Houthis back. The Houthi fighters during the battle, have suffered airstrikes from the Saudi Arabia and their coalition. In 7 January 2016, the loyalists captured the Midi after reported heavily fighting, but despite losing Midi, the Houthis, along with a battalion of troops loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, still maintain control over a long stretch of the coastline.

Insurgency

After the recapturing of Midi by the Hadi loyalists, the Saudi Arabia soldiers set a base for their operations, but an attack conducted by popular committees and Houthi fighters, in January 27 2016, left at least 3 Saudi fighters dead. A week later in 5 of February 2016, Houthi snipers ambushed Saudi troops killing 9 of them. The attackers escaped like the previous time. In 8 of February, popular committees aligned with the Houthi Government, attacked Saudi soldiers reaching to reinforce the Midi area, destroying at least 2 armored vehicles before escaping. Four days later, on 12 of February, fighters of popular committees backed by Houthi government, shot down an Saudi hostile surveillance plane, flying in Midi district. No casualties reported. In 6 March, Saudi jets launch 11 raids on Midi district targeting alleged pro Houthi targets. No casualties reported. On late March, a Saudi airstrike killed more than 78 civilians, including 22 children. The death toll later arises to 107, with some Humanitarian organizations to claims that 129 killed in the airstrikes, and more than 100 wounded. up to 129 civilians killed.