Gun men from the Arab coalition-backed Ahmed Al-Kawkabani's southern resistance unit in Hodeida, patrol al-Khoukha, Yemen on Feb. 12, 2018. Nariman El-Mofty / AP
Gun men from the Arab coalition-backed Ahmed Al-Kawkabani's southern resistance unit in Hodeida, patrol al-Khoukha, Yemen on Feb. 12, 2018. Nariman El-Mofty / AP

Yemeni army captures Houthi base in Taez



The Yemeni army reports new gains against Houthi rebels with the liberation of the Al Waziya front and advances along the western coast of the country.

The Waziya front, located northeast of the coastal town of Mocha, was declared liberated on Saturday, with UAE national news agency Wam reporting the offensive "inflicted heavy human and material damage on the rebels."

The advance follows Friday's reported victory where the Yemeni army captured Al Ommari military base.

With support from UAE forces, the army took hilltop positions overlooking the liberated Thabab coastal area from rebel Houthi forces.

"The military base of Al-Ommari is strategic because it links four districts in Taez province," Tariq Al-Mulaiki, a reporter with the Yemeni army in Taez told The National. "It also controls the main route linking Thubab with Mocha harbor and on to Hodiedah."

In fierce clashes on Friday, Yemeni troops also liberated a mountain chain in the Kahboob area. The area overlooks the narrow Bab al-Mandab Strait linking the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, an important global shipping route.

"Our forces, supported by the Arab coalition jets, drove the Houthi militia out of their last pockets in Al-Hogaiga Mountain," Lt. Mohammed Al-Naqeeb told The National. The advance captured bunkers and caves used as weapons depots by the Houthis, the spokesperson of the fourth military zone added.

The Yemeni army is also making gains in Al-Baydha region in central Yemen, north of the port city of Aden where the government of Yemen is operating in exile.

"Army forces completely liberated the strategic mountain of Al-Karha and cleansed the Houthi militia pockets remaining on Al-Dhaher Mountain amid fierce confrontations that led to the killing of 35 of the Houthi militants," Hussein Al-Humaikani a fighter with the public resistance in Al-Baydha told The National.

Since 2015, the government of Yemen has been fighting a civil war against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels, who remain in control of the capital Sanaa and much of Yemen’s western coastline.

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Delhi Dragons: Ronaldinho
Bengaluru Royals: Paul Scholes
Mumbai Warriors: Ryan Giggs
Chennai Ginghams: Hernan Crespo
Telugu Tigers: Deco
Kerala Cobras: Michel Salgado

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Anxiety and work stress major factors

Anxiety, work stress and social isolation are all factors in the recogised rise in mental health problems.

A study UAE Ministry of Health researchers published in the summer also cited struggles with weight and illnesses as major contributors.

Its authors analysed a dozen separate UAE studies between 2007 and 2017. Prevalence was often higher in university students, women and in people on low incomes.

One showed 28 per cent of female students at a Dubai university reported symptoms linked to depression. Another in Al Ain found 22.2 per cent of students had depressive symptoms - five times the global average.

It said the country has made strides to address mental health problems but said: “Our review highlights the overall prevalence of depressive symptoms and depression, which may long have been overlooked."

Prof Samir Al Adawi, of the department of behavioural medicine at Sultan Qaboos University in Oman, who was not involved in the study but is a recognised expert in the Gulf, said how mental health is discussed varies significantly between cultures and nationalities.

“The problem we have in the Gulf is the cross-cultural differences and how people articulate emotional distress," said Prof Al Adawi. 

“Someone will say that I have physical complaints rather than emotional complaints. This is the major problem with any discussion around depression."

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If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.