Yemen Conflict Escalates As Powerful Explosions Rock Houthi-Held Sanaa

At least seven explosions were reported in Yemen’s Houthi-controlled capital Sanaa on Saturday, with residents reporting airstrikes across several parts of the city as fighting intensified.

Residents told Xinhua that warplanes were heard overhead before a series of blasts shook the capital.

The strikes appeared to target Houthi-controlled military positions, according to residents, who reported smoke rising from the mountainous areas of Al-Nahdayn and Jabal Attan.

Houthi-run al-Masirah TV confirmed that Sanaa had come under airstrikes and described the attacks as ‘Saudi aggression’.

The channel did not immediately provide details about the targets or report casualties.

Saudi Arabia had not immediately commented on the reports.

The latest strikes followed reports of several Saudi airstrikes and missile attacks across western, southwestern and northern Yemen last month.

Houthi media had reported casualties in Hodeidah province following those attacks.

Al-Masirah TV reported around 15 airstrikes on Hodeidah on Wednesday, saying telecommunications infrastructure and other facilities were targeted.

According to the channel, telecommunications towers in Al Marawi’ah and Al-Qati’ and a radio station building in Bajil were hit. It reported that at least two people were killed and four others injured.

The latest escalation comes as fighting has intensified across southwestern Yemen, with renewed missile, drone and air attacks adding to tensions between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia.

Yemen’s conflict began in late 2014 after the Houthis seized Sanaa and large parts of northern Yemen.

Saudi Arabia subsequently led a coalition intervention in March 2015 in support of the internationally recognised government.

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