Saudi-led forces started an aggression on Yemen’s Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, in defiance of warnings by the UN and international rights groups against the catastrophic repercussions of such a military action.

Coalition warplanes and warships were carrying out strikes to support ground operations by Saudi-led mercenaries massed south of the Red Sea port.

Meanwhile, Arabic-language al-Masdar News has reported heavy Saudi-led airstrikes on Hodeidah as the UAE-backed troops stormed the Houthi positions just south of the city’s airport.

Yemen’s Al-Massirah TV also reported fierce clashes south of the Hodeidah airport and intense air raids over the entire province.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE), a key member of the Saudi-led coalition waging the war on Yemen, had set a Tuesday deadline for the Yemeni Houthi Ansarullah movement to pull out of Hodeidah. The port city serves as a lifeline for aid delivery to the war-stricken country.

“These are the last and final hours to get unconditional guarantees that the Houthis will leave the port,” UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash told Reuters on Tuesday.

Source: Agencies