The Saudi-led coalition operating in Yemen has said it will re-open some vital air and seaports in rebel parts of the country to allow in desperately needed food and medicine.

Hodeida, the Houthi-controlled port which processes much of Yemen's imports, will reopen at midday on Thursday, a statement carried by Saudi state media on Wednesday said.

The airport in Sanaa – also controlled by rebels – should reopen to UN aid flights at the same time.

Yemen: More than 50,000 children expected to die of starvation and disease by end of year

The Arab coalition which aims to restore Yemen's exiled government closed the entire country's airspace and borders on 6 November in retaliation for a Houthi ballistic missile which was intercepted near Riyadh the previous day.

The missile was struck down, but it is the furthest into the Kingdom any rebel projectile has managed to penetrate, putting the Saudis on high alert.

Prices of goods immediately soared in the country, even in relatively wealthy areas.

The situation in Yemen Show all 14 1 /14 The situation in Yemen The situation in Yemen Houthi supporters trample on a US flag during a gathering mobilizing more fighters into several Yemeni battlefronts, in Sana'a, Yemen EPA The situation in Yemen People carry the coffins of men, who were killed in the recent Saudi-led airstrikes during their funeral, in the Old City of Sanaa, Yemen AP The situation in Yemen Pro-government fighters give food to Yemeni children on the road leading to the southwestern port city of Mokha. Yemeni rebels are putting up fierce resistance in a key Red Sea port city where they are encircled by pro-government force Getty Images The situation in Yemen A Yemeni stands in front of a graffiti protesting US military operations in war-affected Yemen, in Sana'a, Yemen. According to reports, US Special Forces troops allegedly disembarked from US helicopters in the Yemeni town of Yakla and attacked several houses belonging to members of the terrorist group Al-Qaeda, killing three high-ranking Al-Qaeda members and nine civilians, six women and three children. One American serviceman has been killed and three injured in the attack EPA The situation in Yemen US Special Forces troops allegedly disembarked from US helicopters in the Yemeni town of Yakla and attacked several houses belonging to members of the terrorist group Al-Qaeda, killing three high-ranking Al-Qaeda members and nine civilians, six women and three children. One American serviceman has been killed and three injured in the attack EPA The situation in Yemen A Yemeni female fighter supporting the Shiite Huthi rebels, and carrying weapons used for ceremonial purposes, takes part in an anti-Saudi rally in the capital Sanaa Getty Images The situation in Yemen Yemeni female fighters supporting the Shiite Huthi rebels, and carrying weapons used for ceremonial purposes, take part in an anti-Saudi rally in the capital Sanaa Getty Images The situation in Yemen A boy shouts slogans next to pro-Houthi fighters, who have been injured during recent fighting, during a rally held to honour those injured or maimed while fighting in Houthi ranks in Sanaa, Yemen Reuters The situation in Yemen Balls of fire and smoke rise from a Houthi-held military camp following alleged Saudi-led airstrikes, in Sana'a, Yemen EPA The situation in Yemen Yemenis search under the rubble of damaged houses following reported Saudi-led coalition air strikes on the outskirts of the Yemeni capital Sanaa Getty Images The situation in Yemen A Yemeni boy looks on as Yemenis search under the rubble of damaged houses following reported Saudi-led coalition air strikes on the outskirts of the Yemeni capital Sanaa Getty The situation in Yemen A Yemeni boy sits amidst the rubble of damaged houses following reported Saudi-led coalition air strikes on the outskirts of the Yemeni capital Sanaa AFP/Getty The situation in Yemen Marine One with US President Donald Trump flies with a decoy and support helicopters to Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware, for the dignified transfer of Navy Seal Chief Petty Officer William 'Ryan' Owens who was killed in Yemen Getty Images The situation in Yemen US President Donald Trump aboard the Marine One to greet the remains of a US military commando killed during a raid on the al Qaeda militant group in southern Yemen on Sunday, at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, US Reuters

While the tighter restrictions were lifted in government loyal provinces within a week, Saudi Arabia said that the UN would need to conduct comprehensive reviews on weapons smuggling in rebel areas before those air and seaports could resume operations.

Wednesday's statement said that satisfactory reviews of inspection and verification procedures had taken place.

The UN has warned that the so far 17-day-old blockade would cause the largest famine the world has seen in many decades if it continues.

More than 20 million Yemenis – two thirds of the population – have become reliant on humanitarian help since the civil war erupted in March 2015.

As a result of the latest blockade, the World Food Programme estimates an additional 3.2 million people have been pushed into hunger.

Aid workers warn that even with the current restrictions lifted, without unfettered access to goods such as fuel generators which power hospitals and treat drinking water, the country is still on track for a large-scale famine.

More than 10,000 people have died in the conflict to date as a result of violence, the world's largest cholera epidemic, starvation and other diseases. Aid agencies warn the true statistics are likely to be much higher.

Yemen cholera epidemic: Worst in modern history at 360,000 cases and counting

Saudi Arabia and its regional partners have justified an extensive bombing campaign on Yemen’s Shia Houthi rebels, who are backed by the Kingdom's regional rival Iran.

The intense air strikes – which in some cases have targeted hospitals and funeral gatherings – have killed thousands of civilians.