U.S-British coalition conducts 4 more airstrikes on Yemen's Hodeidah airport

A photo showing an explosion after air strikes in Sanaa, the capital of Yemen, January 12, 2024. [Xinhua]

Warplanes of the U.S-British naval coalition on Tuesday launched four airstrikes on the airport of Yemen's Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, which is under Houthi control, Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported.

The Houthi television did not provide further details, but local residents said on social media they heard big explosions and saw fire rising from the facility following the air raids.

The coalition has yet to comment on the fresh airstrikes, but earlier in the day, the U.S. Central Command posted a statement on X, saying its forces on Monday intercepted and destroyed two drones and an anti-ship ballistic missile launched from the "Iranian-backed Houthi-controlled area of Yemen" towards the Red Sea.

"There were no injuries or damages reported by U.S., coalition, or merchant vessels," it said.

Also on Monday, the coalition said it conducted another airstrike on the same airport, which is being used by the Houthi fighters as a base.

Hodeidah's airport has been closed since late 2014 when the Houthi group seized control over the port city following the eruption of the civil war in Yemen between the Houthi rebels and the internationally recognized government.

The Houthis began last November to launch anti-ship ballistic missiles and drones targeting what they said were Israeli-linked ships transiting the Red Sea, to show solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

In response, the U.S.-British naval coalition stationed in the waters has since January conducted air raids and missile strikes against Houthi military targets in Yemen, including Hodeidah's airport to deter the group, but only led to an expansion of Houthi attacks to include U.S. and British commercial vessels and naval ships.