Dozens Killed as Saudi-Led Forces Launch Yemen Port Strikes

Gunships pound rebels, while snipers kill some invading forces

Thursday marked the first full day of fighting in and around the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah, At least 39 people were killed in the course of this fighting, and a limited amount of territory outside of the city fell to the invading pro-Saudi forces.

Most casualties among the Houthis were caused by Saudi and Emirati warships and planes pounding sites being defended by the Houthis. 30 rebels were said to be killed. Nine of the invaders were killed, mostly by sniper fire and landmines.

Forces advancing on the ground approached the Hodeidah airport, while ambulances wounded a number of the Saudi-backed invading forces wounded in the fighting. More are advancing to the front line.

The Houthis are struggling to stop the advance of troops heading in from the south, though they have reported success in preventing naval landings from some of the warships. This is preventing large-scale reinforcements from getting near the city.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.