Saudi-led airstrikes hit Houthi positions in central Yemen: gov't source

Source: Xinhua| 2021-05-23 03:56:06|Editor: huaxia

SANAA, May 22 (Xinhua) -- The Saudi-led Arab coalition launched multiple airstrikes on military positions of Houthi militia in Yemen's central province of Marib on Saturday, a Yemeni government military source told Xinhua.

The strikes targeted Houthi positions and their military vehicles on the frontlines in western and northern districts of Sirwah and Madghal, the source in Marib said on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported 15 coalition airstrikes on Houthi positions in the two districts.

The Iran-backed Houthis began in February a major offensive against the Saudi-backed Yemeni government army to capture the oil-rich province of Marib, which hosts over 2 million internally displaced people.

The United Nations has warned that the assault on Marib could lead to a major humanitarian catastrophe.

A recent UN-brokered negotiation between Yemen's warring sides and other relevant parties has failed to produce any agreement of cease-fire.

Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014 when the Houthi militia seized control of several northern provinces and forced the internationally recognized government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi out of the capital Sanaa.

The Saudi-led Arab coalition intervened in the Yemeni conflict in March 2015 to support Hadi's government. Enditem

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