The Yemeni army shot down an Iranian-made drone belonging to the Houthi militia over Hodeidah province, the state-run Saba news agency reported on Monday.

Brig Gen Abdelrahman Al Lahji, a commander in the army's former elite Al Amalikah brigades, said the drone was carrying explosive devices over the Al Nukhaila area north of Al Duraihimi district.

“The rebels were trying to spy and monitor the Yemeni army’s movements, but it was shot down and these militias are starting to crumble,” he said.

Yemen government forces — backed by an Arab coalition — have reached the southern and northern parts of Hodeidah’s international airport. The army is surrounding the airport in preparation to raid it and clear it of landmines planted by the Houthis.

“The army is moving in on the Houthi militias at the airport and it almost has entire control of the surrounding areas,” Saba reported.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the Yemeni Ministry of Defense has announced the death of more than 500 members of the militia in six days of fighting in Hodeidah, “pointing to the capture of a large number of rebel elements” since the operation to retake the port city began on Wednesday.



Last Update: Wednesday, 20 May 2020 KSA 09:53 - GMT 06:53