Pro-Hadi forces take airport in Yemen’s Aden

Saudi-owned al Arabiya TV claimed the Houthis, who control Sanaa, have put their forces in the city on alert.

Saudi-led coalition warplanes have bombarded Yemeni rebels, witnesses say, in a new blow to a UN-proposed truce in the impoverished country where millions are threatened with starvation. “The fighting in Aden began in the morning as the forces approached Aden from different positions”, said Ali al-Ahmadi, spokesman for the Southern Popular Resistance, which is defeding Aden from the Houthis.

The offensive, dubbed Operation Golden Arrow, is the first major advance by the loyalists since Shiite Huthi rebels entered the port city in March, forcing President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi and his government into exile in neighbouring Saudi Arabia.

It was the defection of the 39th Armoured Brigade on March 25 that had enabled the rebels to take the airport.

The Huthis and their allies later seized the presidential palace and Aden’s main commercial port. It failed to take hold, after Saudi Arabia refused to recognise the truce and continued air strikes.

The fighting has raged despite a UN-declared six-day ceasefire that was supposed to have taken effect shortly before midnight Friday.

Dozens of Houthi fighters have fled in the direction of the eastern parts of the city, eyewitnesses said, and started randomly shelling nearby areas with mortars and rockets.

“Aden worldwide Airport and Khormaksar have been cleared of Houthi and Saleh elements by armed forces backing Yemen’s legitimacy and the popular resistance forces, in coordination with and with direct support by the coalition”, Yemeni government spokesman Rajeh Badi said.

The Arab coalition said on Saturday the Yemeni government in exile had not asked it to observe the truce.

The latest numbers bring the total killed since March 26 to 1,670, while 3,829 civilians have been injured, Colville said.

“We have not lost hope and discussions are ongoing”, Stephane Dujarric said.

As millions face “terrifying” violence, extreme hunger and little medical aid in Yemen, the United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator today expressed deep concern over the “catastrophic” situation, and renewed his appeal for an “immediate and unconditional humanitarian pause”.

Nationwide fuel shortages have spread disease and suffering in a country where access to water usually depends on fuel powered pumps and over 20 million people – 80 percent of the population – need aid, according to the United Nations.

The action Tuesday is regarded as a significant defeat for the Houthis, who captured the port city three months ago and have retained it in a series of violent clashes.