Operation Blow to the Head

Operation Blow to the Head Part of Shia insurgency in Yemen (Operation Scorched Earth), Yemeni al-Qaeda crackdown The mud house in Sa'dah. Date 13 January–12 February 2010 (4 weeks and 2 days) Location Sa'dah, Saada Governorate, Yemen Result Cease-fire[1] Belligerents  Yemen Ansar Allah al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula Commanders and leaders Ali Abdullah Saleh Ali Raymi Abdul-Malik al-Houthi Abdullah Mehdar  † Casualties and losses unknown 24 killed 25 captured Location within Yemen

al-Qaeda insurgency in Yemen AQAP 1992–present 1992 Yemen hotel bombings Al-Wade'a USS Cole bombing Prison escape Duba and Ma'rib attacks Ma'rib bombing Wadi Dawan ambush Shibam bombing Bin Salman bombing US Embassy attack Al-Majalah (2009) Shabwa (2009) 1st Lawdar (2009) Blow to the Head (2010) Huta Ansar al-Sharia (2011–present) Jaar and al-Husn (2011) Zinjibar (2011) Shuqra Azzan Al-Rawdah Hawta Dofas Lahij (2012) 2nd Lawdar Abyan (2012) Sanaa parade bombing (2012) Rada' (2013) Sanaa Defense Ministry attack (2013) Shabwah (2014) Hostage rescues (2014) Rada' (2014) Ibb (2014) Sanaa (2015) Al Mukalla (2015) Al Mukalla (2016) Houthi insurgency in Yemen Bin Salmah Scorched Earth Blow to the Head Sa'dah Dammaj 1st Sanaa 2nd Sanaa

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

Region insurgency

In June 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 Badreddin al-Houthi. Hussein was killed in the insurgency by September.^[4] 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 12 February 2010.^[1]

Operation

The Yemeni government troops led a military operation against the insurgent town of Sa'dah. Abdullah Mehdar led the Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula 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. Many buildings were reduced to rubble. Mehdar was killed in a gunfight with security forces on the opening day of the conflict. 15 Houthis were killed in the next two days in the operation. On 19 January 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 12 February 2010.^[1]

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