Port city hit by coalition air strikes

SANAA, Yemen — Saudi-led coalition warplanes launched dozens of air strikes on Yemen’s southern port city of Aden Saturday, as Shiite Houthi rebels and their allies mobilized hundreds of reinforcements in an effort to wrest control of the city from militias supporting embattled President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, security officials and eyewitnesses said.

The officials said opposing fighters faced off in fierce street battles in the Aden neighborhoods of Khour Makser and Dar Saad as the Houthis try to gain a foothold in the districts.

“The planes were carrying out air strikes every 10 minutes and continued throughout the night,” said Aden resident Mohammed al-Kheir.

Eyewitness Fahmy al-Salal said coalition air strikes in Aden killed scores of Houthis and their allies — security personnel loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Saudi Arabia had announced Tuesday that it was entering a new phase in its campaign against the Houthis, who captured Yemen’s capital of Sanaa last year. The air campaign is aimed at rolling back the rebels and restoring Hadi, a close U.S. ally who fled to Saudi Arabia last month. The coalition of countries led by Saudi Arabia began conducting air strikes against rebel positions on March 26.

Western governments and the Sunni Arab countries in the coalition say the Houthis are being armed and financed by Shiite powerhouse Iran. Tehran and the rebels deny that, although the Islamic Republic has provided political and humanitarian support to the Shiite group.

A security official said that living conditions in Aden are deteriorating, with most shops closed due to a lack of bread, flour and fuel.

All officials spoke on condition of anonymity.

The cities of Taiz and Dhale also saw violent clashes Saturday.