Saudi coalition suspends Yemen strikes to allow aid

The Saudi-led coalition fighting rebels in Yemen suspended its air war yesterday to allow desperately needed aid deliveries, although clashes broke out in several areas despite UN calls for a truce.

The Huthi Shia rebels, who control swathes of Yemen including the capital Sanaa, said they had not been consulted about the unilateral coalition ceasefire that began at midnight (Sunday 2100 GMT).

The Arab regional coalition, which has waged four months of air strikes in support of exiled President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, announced the five-day truce to allow emergency supplies to flow into the impoverished nation.

It reserved the right to respond to "military activity or movement" but there were no reports of new air raids by dawn despite several new attacks by the rebels.

The Huthis bombarded areas overnight in the southern provinces of Taez, Lahj and Dhaleh, according to witnesses and military sources.

Rebel tanks fired on residential areas in Jebel Sabr in Taez, witnesses said, sparking clashes with loyalist troops, witnesses said. Military sources said 11 rebels, five civilians and four loyalists were killed.

In Marib to the east of Sanaa, rebels launched an offensive against loyalist positions, residents said.

Clashes also erupted outside the southern port city of Aden, where pro-government fighters last week expelled the rebels after four months of ferocious fighting.

The loyalists seized Mujassam, an area on the northern outskirts of the city, as well as several farms near Bir Ahmed district, military source said.

Three rockets allegedly fired by the rebels struck yesterday afternoon near Aden airport which reopened last week for aid delivery after being recaptured by loyalists, other military sources said.

The loyalist forces have been bolstered by new weaponry and armoured vehicles delivered by the coalition.