Huge blasts outside Sanaa after air raids by Saudi-led coalition

Published May 22, 2015
Smoke billows following an air-strike by the Saudi-led coalition on an army arms depot, now under Houthi rebel control. — AFP
Smoke billows following an air-strike by the Saudi-led coalition on an army arms depot, now under Houthi rebel control. — AFP

SANAA: Huge explosions rocked the outskirts of the Yemeni capital Friday after Saudi-led air strikes against positions held by Houthi rebels and their allies, residents said.

“It was a morning of terror,” a resident of a southern suburb told AFP after a string of raids on military bases in Dhabwa and Rimat Hamid.

In north Sanaa, coalition warplanes attacked a stadium and a camp of the Republican Guards loyal to ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has sided with the Houthis.

Other targets included another camp, in Samaa, and Dalaimi air base, near the capital's international airport, residents said.

Residents said the coalition also struck Houthi positions in Marib province, to the east of Sanaa, but no immediate casualty tolls were available for any of the raids.

The coalition has waged an air campaign against the Houthis since March 26 in an effort to restore the authority of President Abedrabbo Mansour al-Hadi, who has fled to Riyadh with members of his government.

A United Nations conference to relaunch political talks on Yemen is to open in Geneva next week, despite uncertainty over who will attend.

Opinion

Editorial

Missing links
Updated 27 Apr, 2024

Missing links

As the past decades have shown, the country has not been made more secure by ‘disappearing’ people suspected of wrongdoing.
Freedom to report?
27 Apr, 2024

Freedom to report?

AN accountability court has barred former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife from criticising the establishment...
After Bismah
27 Apr, 2024

After Bismah

BISMAH Maroof’s contribution to Pakistan cricket extends beyond the field. The 32-year old, Pakistan’s...
Business concerns
Updated 26 Apr, 2024

Business concerns

There is no doubt that these issues are impeding a positive business clime, which is required to boost private investment and economic growth.
Musical chairs
26 Apr, 2024

Musical chairs

THE petitioners are quite helpless. Yet again, they are being expected to wait while the bench supposed to hear...
Global arms race
26 Apr, 2024

Global arms race

THE figure is staggering. According to the annual report of Sweden-based think tank Stockholm International Peace...