Saudi-Led Coalition Resumes Airstrikes on Yemeni Capital

The coalition carried out airstrikes on the positions of Houthi forces in downtown Sanaa.

SANAA (Sputnik) —A coalition of Gulf states led by Saudi Arabia resumed on Thursday airstrikes on the Yemeni capital after a several-hour break, a Sputnik correspondent reported from Sanaa.

"The strikes were carried out on positions of Houthi militants in downtown Sanaa," the reporter said.

On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia announced the launch of a military operation against the Houthis, who currently control large parts of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa.

Several other nations, including Bahrain, Qatar and Egypt, are participating. The Gulf nations claim the campaign is a response to a request of Yemen's ousted president, said to be in hiding outside of the country.

According to local media, Saudi Arabia has deployed 100 fighter aircraft and 150,000 troops for the operation.

As many as 65 people have died in the attacks, a source told Sputnik earlier Thursday.

The Shiite Houthis, Yemen's main opposition force, have taken over large areas of the country including the capital Sanaa. The group forced President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and his government to resign late January, subsequently dissolving the parliament and declaring a presidential council.