Large Sections of Hodeidah Airport Captured by Saudi-Led Coalition

According to a Yemeni military source, the UAE news agency, and residents of Hodeidah city, forces supported by the Saudi-led military coalition attacked Hodeidah port airport on Tuesday, June 19, capturing large sections of it that were under the control of Houthi rebels. Reuters reports, citing Hodeidah residents, that fighting is also ongoing on the road between the airport and residential areas of the densely populated city, with the Arab coalition forces providing air support using Apache attack helicopters. The capture of the airport could be a significant step towards the complete takeover of Hodeidah port by coalition-supported forces. The governments of Saudi Arabia and the UAE have promised that this operation will be very swift to avoid disrupting the flow of goods to this port. One resident of the coastal areas of Hodeidah told Reuters by phone: 'We can hear the sound of cannon fire, mortars, and heavy machine guns. The Houthis are using tanks. Due to the Houthis digging trenches and cutting pipes, many residential areas along the coast have no water. Many people have fled these areas and are heading towards the city of Hodeidah.' Saudi and UAE state media have accused the Houthis of shelling residential areas. However, residents of Hodeidah say that Houthi tanks are targeting coalition-supported forces. The Saudi-led military coalition began its offensive against Hodeidah, the only port under Houthi control, on June 12, aiming to break the current stalemate in the Yemen war. The UAE state news agency reports that coalition forces have captured large sections of Hodeidah airport, while Houthi-affiliated media stated that coalition aircraft have attacked the airport more than 40 times since this morning. As fighting intensifies in Hodeidah, several civilians have been injured and displaced, jeopardizing the operations of aid organizations and the transfer of humanitarian assistance through this port for millions of people in Yemen. The United Nations is concerned that this operation could worsen the dire conditions for the people of Yemen. Currently, about 22 million people in the country are in need of assistance, with estimates suggesting that over eight million are at risk of famine and starvation. According to UN statistics, more than 600,000 people live in Hodeidah and its surroundings, and in the worst-case scenario, this battle could result in up to 250,000 casualties. A UN official told Reuters that the main factor in determining this assessment is the risk of cholera outbreak in the region. A spokesperson for the UN's food program stated that Hodeidah port was open on Tuesday, and three ships carrying essential food supplies for six million people managed to unload their cargo over the course of a month. The UAE Foreign Minister stated on Monday that the Arab coalition will take effective measures to minimize civilian casualties and will leave an exit route open for the Houthis to retreat to Sana'a. The Arab coalition has stated that it intends to carry out this operation swiftly, but the Houthis have fortified their positions in Hodeidah port, which is the main route for transferring supplies to areas under their control, including the city of Sana'a.