DUBAI: Yemen’s army, backed by the Saudi-led Arab coalition, claimed full control of Hodeidah airport on Tuesday after fierce clashes with the Iran-backed Houthi militia, Saudi state-news channel Al Ekhbariya reported.
The army advanced south-west of the airport towards Durahmi in a push to liberate the region.
According to military sources, violent clashes erupted between the army and militia in the Wadi Nakhl province, on the outskirts of Durahmi.
The Saudi-led coalition entered the main compound of Yemen’s Hodeidah airport on Tuesday, Yemeni military sources in the alliance and a resident told Reuters.
“They have stormed the airport,” said one Yemeni military source. A resident said the forces stormed the airport after fierce battles broke out early in the morning between coalition forces and Iran-aligned Houthi militants who hold the main port city of Hodeidah.