Operation Blow to the Head

Operation Blow to the Head Part of Sa'dah insurgency, Yemeni al-Qaeda crackdown The Mosque in Sa'dah. Date January 13, 2010 – February 12[1] Location Sa'dah, Sa'dah Governorate, Yemen Result Indecisive Belligerents Yemen Ash-Shabab al-Muminin al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula Commanders and leaders Ali Abdullah Saleh Abdul-Malik al-Houthi Abdullah al-Mehdar † Casualties and losses unknown 24 killed 25 captured

Operation Blow to the Head was a Yemeni military operation against the militants in the insurgent Yemeni town of Sa'dah in Sa'dah Province. The Yemeni government troops began trying to capture the town on January 13, 2010. On that day the Islamic militant Abdullah al-Mehdar was killed by Yemeni security forces.^[2]

Region insurgency

Main article: Sa'dah insurgency

In June of 2004, insurgency returned in Yemen.^[3] The Yemeni Government allegedly received help from the United States in controlling the insurgent force. From June to August 2004, Houthis battled with the Yemeni Government under Hussein al-Houthi. Houthi was killed^[4] in the insurgency by September. His brother, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi took over command over the insurgents, and leads them today. The allies launched Operation Scorched Earth, but the rebels agreed to a short truce on February 12, 2010.^[1]

Operation

The Yemeni government troops led a military operation against the insurgent town of Sa'dah. Abdullah al-Mehdar, led the Al-Qaeda insurgents against the government troops. Other Islamic rebels also fought against the Yemeni troops, with the fighting destroying much of the old Sa'dah city.^{[citation needed]} Many buildings were reduced to rubble. Al-Mehdar was killed in a gunfight with Security Forces on the opening day of the conflict. Fifteen Shi'a rebels were killed in the next two days in the operation. On January 19, 2010, several rebels were killed by government forces in raids on Houthi hideouts in the old corner of the north. About 25 rebels were reported captured by the Yemeni government.^[2] The operation ended after a truce was declared by both sides on February 12, 2010.^[1]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c} "Middle East - North Yemen calm after truce". Al Jazeera English. http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2010/02/2010211183014399724.html. Retrieved 2010-02-15. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "Leader of Al Qaeda in Yemen 'killed in gun battle'". Daily Mail (London). January 13, 2010. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1242847/Al-Qaeda-Yemen-Leader-killed-gun-battle.html. 
3. ^ Hill, Ginny (February 5, 2007). "Yemen fears return of insurgency". BBC News. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6331149.stm. 
4. ^ "Profile: Yemen's Houthi fighters - Middle East - Al Jazeera English". Al Jazeera. 12 August 2009. http://english.aljazeera.net/news/middleeast/2009/08/200981294214604934.html. Retrieved 24 May 2011.