MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Reuters reports citing local television channels that the international coalition has restricted the airspace above Yemen and has warmed foreign ships from approaching Yemeni ports as it targets Houthis with airstrikes.
Breaking Al Arabiya: 100 Saudi fighter jets and 150,000 troops participating in operation "Decisive Storm" #Yemen
— سلطان سعود القاسمي (@SultanAlQassemi) March 26, 2015
"This operation has restored people's determination [to fight the Houthis]," director of Hadi's office Mohammed Marem told Reuters on Wednesday.
MORE; Hadi govt officials have been calling on Gulf states to impose a no-fly zone over Yemen http://t.co/dAzo7Kj9Ie pic.twitter.com/xZjooWC23U
— RT (@RT_com) March 26, 2015
Marem added that the Yemeni President is "in high spirits" at a base in Aden and thanks the Gulf countries for their support in the fight against Houthi rebels.
HUGE. Houthi led TV shows the first #Saudi jet shot down over San'aa #Yemen. Fighters are searching for the pilot. pic.twitter.com/Dqw11WnECe
— Muhammad Ali (@Klaashinkof) March 26, 2015
According to the news agency, the strikes have already caused dozens of casualties in Yemen's capital Sanaa, which has been under Houthi control.
Debate over extent of Houthi links with Iran. But Saudis see them. So is MidEast getting a second Iran-Saudi proxy war in Yemen after Syria?
— Jeremy Bowen (@BowenBBC) March 26, 2015
Saudi Arabia announced the launch of a military operation against Houthis in Yemen following a request for support from Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi. The operation is being conducted jointly with several other countries, including Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states.
The sounds of the airstrikes and the explosions reminded me with 94 war.. #Yemen #Sanaa
— Osamah Alfakih (@osamahfakih) March 26, 2015
This is a disgusting violation of #Yemen's sovereignty by the Wahhabi Saudi regime. I sincerely hope the Houthis will respond strongly.
— Haidar Sumeri (@IraqiSecurity) March 25, 2015
Houthi rebels have taken control of vast areas in Yemen, forcing President Hadi and his government to resign in late January.
Hadi was under house arrest in Sanaa before he fled to the port city of Aden in February, having disavowed his resignation. Since then, there have been several reports of Hadi having left Aden for an unknown destination.
