Yemeni forces say they seized Hodeida airport runway

Yemeni fighters backed by the United Arab Emirates say they seized the southern runway of the international airport near the key Yemeni city of Hodeida, as fighting raged between pro-government forces backed by a Saudi-led coalition and Iranian-backed Shiite Houthi rebels.

The Amaleqa brigades, a fighting force backed by the coalition that includes the UAE, also says in a statement they seized areas on the west and east sides of the airport. They have been advancing toward an area near Kilo 16 road, aiming to cut off the link between Hodeida and the capital Sanaa, a statement says.

Col. Turki al-Malki, coalition spokesman, claims the forces took over the airport and that Yemeni forces are currently clearing the airport of Houthi landmines. He adds in a statement that there were no civilian casualties in the fighting and that after liberation of the airport, the coalition will press the Houthis to accept a political settlement.

— AFP