Battle for Yemen coast leaves 20 dead

Government forces and coalition aim to take Hodeidah port

ADEN // Twenty rebels and troops were killed in clashes overnight as government forces pushed north along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, military officials said yesterday.

Fighting in the coastal town of Midi, north of the major port of Hodeidah, and in Mokha to the south, erupted the day after government forces seized control of the area.

“The death toll this morning stands at 14 Houthi rebels and six troops” loyal to president Abdrabu Mansur Hadi, a military source said.

Hospital sources in Hodeidah confirmed at least eight were dead.

Forces loyal to Yemen’s president, backed by the Saudi-led Arab coalition of which the UAE is part, entered the port town of Mokha last month as part of a push to drive the Iran-backed rebels out.

Government forces had taken the docks of Mokha earlier this month and were now aiming to take the port of Hodeidah, which is still under Houthi control.

The coalition declared Hodeidah a military zone with effect from 10am yesterday and urged civilians to stay in their homes.

Hodeidah is the main port for food and fuel supplies to rebel-controlled territory in northern Yemen.

Before the government’s military offensive, the Houthi rebels controlled nearly all of Yemen’s 450- kilometre Red Sea coastline.

Yemeni military officials said the capture of the ports would cut off the main supply line for Iranian weapons to the rebels. More than 400 combatants have been killed since the government offensive, known as Operation Golden Spear, began last month.