Yemen Pro-Government Forces Halt Offensive On Key Port To Evacuate Civilians - Reports

A major offensive by pro-government Yemeni troops on the port city of Al Hudaydah was paused Wednesday to evacuate civilians, media reported, citing military sources.

CAIRO (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 14th November, 2018) A major offensive by pro-government Yemeni troops on the port city of Al Hudaydah was paused Wednesday to evacuate civilians, media reported, citing military sources.

Humanitarian corridors are being created to let civilians and aid workers escape before fighting resumed, according to the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya tv channel.

The sources said the assault would continue until Al Hudaydah and the entire west coast were freed from Houthis, a Shiite rebel movement that took over much of Yemen three years ago.

The forces loyal to President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi have been aided since 2015 by a Saudi-led coalition, whose airstrikes account for the greater number of the deaths, the UN says.

The battle for Al Hudaydah, Yemen's largest Red Sea port, has disrupted humanitarian supplies to the war-stricken country, putting half of the population at risk of starvation.