Yemeni legitimate forces, backed by the Saudi-led Arab coalition, secured on Tuesday Hodeidah airport, driving out the Iran-backed Houthi militias that fled towards the sea.
The coalition launched a major offensive on Wednesday to drive the rebels out of Hodeidah, a Red Sea port which is the entry point for some three-quarters of Yemen's imports.
“They have stormed the airport,” an anti-Houthi Yemeni military source told Reuters.
The joint Yemeni resistance stormed the airport amid collapses in the Houthi ranks.
Dozens of militants were killed and injured in the assault, including field commanders. Dozens of others have been captured by the resistance forces.
In addition, the forces seized control of the western Manzar village located near the airport.
The Yemeni national army has meanwhile continued its advance towards the main line between Hodeidah and the capital Sanaa, which is controlled by the Houthis.
The legitimate forces launched operation Gold Victory to liberate Hodeidah from Houthi clutches on Wednesday. They have made rapid advances, securing the surroundings of the airport on Saturday.
UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr. Anwar Gargash said on Monday that the coalition was taking a measured approach to minimize risks to civilians.
He said the alliance was counting on Martin Griffiths, the UN special envoy for Yemen who arrived in Sanaa on Saturday, to secure a Houthi agreement to leave Hodeidah.
