Yemenis flee air strikes

ADEN: The Saudiled coalition resumed air strikes on Iranaligned Houthi fighters holed up in the airport of Yemen’s main port, Hodeidah, yesterday as civilians fled in search of shelter.

Apache attack helicopters fired at Houthi snipers and fighters on the rooftops of schools and homes in the Manzar neighbourhood abutting the airport, residents said, in fighting that has wounded dozens of civilians and prevented aid organisations from reaching parts of the city.

The sixdayold battle for Hodeidah could drag on, inflicting more suffering on civilians who have already endured air strikes, port blockades, hunger and a cholera epidemic.

Yehia Tanani said he and his family left Manzar three days ago and walked for 3km, hiding behind walls and under trees to avoid air strikes, before finding shelter at a fish farm.

‘‘They told us that some humanitarian organisations are going to send buses but then they said no buses could come in or out. So we started walking on foot . . . Now we’re in this school, no mattresses, no electricity, no water, no bathrooms, nothing. And we have children who need medicine, need food, need anything, but we don’t have anything,’’ he said, sitting on the floor of an empty classroom of a school being used to house those displaced by the fighting.

Children slept on the floor while others sat forlornly in the courtyard, where a few items of clothing and blankets were draped over balconies and upturned desks. — Reuters