SANAA (Web Desk/Agencies) – Warplanes struck the Yemeni capital of Sanaa overnight and after daybreak on Monday, residents said, the fifth day of a campaign by Saudi-led forces against Houthi forces opposed to President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.
Yemen’s Health Ministry, controlled by the Houthi movement, said on Sunday air strikes had killed 35 people and wounded 88 during the night of Saturday-Sunday. The figures could not be independently confirmed.
One resident said the strikes appeared to hit mainly around the presidential palace, adjacent to the diplomatic quarter of the capital.
“It was a night from hell,” a Yemeni diplomat said.
Residents said the strikes also targeted weapons depots near Nugum mountain, which overlooks the city.
Riyadh announced on March 26 that it and nine other countries had begun air strikes against the Houthi fighters, who control the capital.
Iran, which denies helping the Houthis militarily, has condemned the offensive.
In Aden, held by Hadi’s embattled supporters, explosions and bursts of automatic-weapons fire could be heard late into the night across the southern port city.
No independent information was immediately available on the origin of the clashes. But callers to Aden television said it was a new push by the Houthis and allied Saleh fighters from the north toward Sheikh Uthman, a residential suburb of Aden.
No word was available on casualties. Some Arab television satellite channels said Houthis force were about 30 km (20 miles) north of Aden.
Aden al-Ghad newspaper published pictures of a number of burned tanks, armored vehicles and other military vehicles that it said were destroyed during fighting in past days.
The heads of Arab League countries meeting in Egypt have agreed to create a joint Arab military force.
The League has been meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh amid a crisis in Yemen and the threat of militias who have made major gains in Iraq, Syria and Libya.
However, establishing the make-up and remit of the force could take months, analysts say.
A 10-nation, Saudi-led coalition is currently carrying out air strikes against rebels in Yemen.
The strikes are in support of President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, who fled after gains by the Houthi rebels.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said: “The Arab leaders have decided to agree on the principle of a joint Arab military force.”
Like everyone else, President Sisi sees plenty to worry about as he looks across the Middle East. He describes the growing threats to the region as “unprecedented”.
Unsurprisingly this military man loudly advocates military solutions. And now he has got agreement on the principle of establishing a joint Arab military force.
The Arab League will work with military representatives of its members to organise what has been described as a voluntary force.
Analysts say it is unlikely all 22 members will join the proposed force.
Egyptian officials quoted by Associated Press said the force would comprise some 40,000 elite troops, supported by war planes, naval vessels and light armour.
The creation of the joint force has long been floated within the League but has never been realised.
There has been no indication such a force would be deployed in the Yemen conflict.
However, Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi said the Saudi-led offensive against the Houthis would “continue until the militia withdraws and surrenders its weapons”.
He added: “Yemen was on the brink of the abyss, requiring effective Arab and international moves after all means of reaching a peaceful resolution have been exhausted to end the Houthi coup and restore legitimacy.”
Saudi Arabia says the Houthis are backed by regional rival Iran – something the rebels deny.
Hadi on Saturday accused Tehran of destabilising the country, calling the Houthis the “stooges of Iran”.
The Houthis have said their aim is to replace Hadi’s government, which they accuse of being corrupt.
