Yemeni Forces Backed By Saudi-Led Allies Have Launched Their Biggest Assault Of The Yemen War With An Attack On The Mail Port Of Hodeidah

Bloomberg: Saudi Coalition Starts Yemen Battle as UN Warns of Disaster

* Seventy percent of imports, aid enter Yemen through Hodeidah
* Fight to control the Red Sea port city could be turning point

Yemeni forces and their Saudi-led allies launched an assault to retake the country’s aid lifeline from rebels, a siege that could dramatically exacerbate the humanitarian crisis without tipping the balance of the three-year-old war.

International aid workers had been pulling out as armored carriers ferried troops to the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, the entry point for 70 percent of Yemen’s imports and humanitarian assistance. The United Nations warned on Monday that almost two thirds of the city’s 400,000 residents could die if the city is put under siege.

In a statement Wednesday, the government said it had exhausted all possible peaceful means to dislodge Iran-backed Houthi rebels from Hodeidah. In preparation for the offensive, the coalition had intensified its aerial attacks and artillery strikes on Houthi positions across Hodeidah province, and thousands of fighters in traditional clothing, backed by helicopters, had been deployed to the front.

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More News On The Battle For The Yemeni Port Of Hodeidah

Arab states launch biggest assault of Yemen war with attack on main port -- Reuters
Saudi-led ground troops launch assault on Yemen port city of Hodeida, a key moment in three-year war -- AP
Saudi Arabia-led military coalition launches offensive on Yemen port city of Hodeida -- Washington Post
Yemen war: Saudi-backed forces begin assault on Hudaydah port -- BBC
Saudi Arabia, UAE, launch attack on Yemen's port city of Hudaida -- Al Jazeera
Yemen forces launch assault on Hodeida port city: field commanders -- AFP
Yemen forces launch assault on rebel-held port city -- AFP
Saudi-led coalition launches attack on Yemen port city of Hodeidah -- ABC News Online
Yemen: Saudi-led coalition begins battle for vital port -- The Guardian
Yemen: Saudi-led coalition launches attack to recapture Hodeida port city -- DW
Saudi coalition strikes kill 250 Houthi rebels in heavy fighting -- UPI
Saudi-led alliance set for battle in biggest Yemeni port -- Reuters
Yemen troops mass in bid to retake key port -- AFP
Hundreds of children at risk in Yemen battle: French charity -- AFP
Yemen war: Why the battle for Hudaydah matters -- BBC