Saudi-led coalition pound Houthi positions in Hodeida скачать в хорошем качестве

Saudi-led coalition pound Houthi positions in Hodeida

(8 Nov 2018) Yemeni military officials and witnesses on both sides of the Hodeida front line say the US-backed, Saudi-led coalition has pounded Houthi rebel positions with airstrikes and a ground assault and now controls a major road leading into the key port city. They say an Emirati-trained force known as the Giants, backed by Apache attack helicopters, secured on Wednesday an urban area along 50th Street, which leads to the city's key port facilities some 5 kilometres (3 miles) away. Speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals or lack of authorisation to brief journalists, they say the Iran-backed Shiite rebels had been firing mainly from elevated and rooftop sniper positions, and have now resorted to burning tyres to obscure the gunships' view. Most civilians have fled the area, they added. Aid groups on Thursday warned of the plight of civilians in Hodeida where casualties are mounting. The push against the Iran-backed rebels also known as Houthis who are holding Hodeida began anew this month, shortly after the United States called for a cease-fire by the end of the month. Apparently in a rush to try to take Hodeida before then, coalition artillery, helicopter gunships and airstrikes have pounded the rebels, with dozens killed on both sides. The rebels admit they are outnumbered but have vowed to fight on. Ceasefires in Yemen's civil war have rarely held, and peace talks have repeatedly broken down in the past. The conflict in Yemen, the Arab world's poorest country, began with the 2014 takeover of the capital, Sanaa, by the Houthis who toppled the internationally recognised government. The Saudi-led coalition has been fighting the rebels since 2015, in an attempt to restore that government to power. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...