Egypt Stops Flights to Yemen Amid Saudi-Led Military Operation - Reports

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Air travels between Egypt and Yemen were suspended Thursday after a Saudi-led coalition launched airstrikes on Houthi militants, according to local press.

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.

Civil aircraft completely avoiding Yemen airspace, @flightradar24 shows http://t.co/y85Osa51sV #Yemen pic.twitter.com/qcEhePvAFI

— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) 26 Март 2015

Egypt’s national EgyptAir airline canceled all three flights to Yemen’s cities of Sanaa and Aden, Aswat Masriya news website reported, citing an airport official.

Saudi Arabia is reportedly using around 100 fighter jets and 150,000 personnel in the military operation. The airstrikes target Yemen's infrastructure, including the government buildings and the Sanaa airport, but also hit residential areas.

The air raids have killed 65 people, a local government source told Sputnik.

The Houthi militants forced President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and his government to resign in late January. Hadi was under house arrest in Sanaa before he fled to Aden in February, disavowing his resignation.