< Smoke billows from the site of a Saudi-led air strike in Yemen's western port city of Hodeidah >

Jets from a Saudi coalition struck Yemen's Red Sea port of Hodeidah early on August 18th. Port officials said the attack has destroyed cranes and warehouses at a main import hub for aid supplies to the country's north.

Hodeidah, which lies almost due west of the capital Sanaa is held by the Houthi militias and allied army units loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh. They retain control of the northern highlands and the Red Sea coastal plain as far south as Ibb, which lies around 200 kilometres southeast of the port.

Aid groups have previously complained that the coalition naval blockade has stopped relief supplies entering Yemen, which is suffering a humanitarian crisis. The coalition has accused the Houthis of commandeering aid shipments for war use.

According to Arab media, there were also clashes further south overnight in Yemen's third city, Taiz, as local groups opposed to the Houthis attempted to consolidate recent advances to take the city.

As well as retaining a foothold in Taiz, the Houthis and allied army units loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh control the northern highlands and Red Sea coastal plain as far south as Ibb, where coalition-backed forces advanced last week.

Article Published on 18 August, 2015