22 killed, 30 wounded amid anti-Houthi airstrikes in Sanaa
Over 20 people have died and more than 30 were wounded as a result of airstrikes conducted by a Saudi Arabia-led international coalition against Houthi militia in Yemen, local security and medical sources have told Sputnik.
As of 6:30 a. m. local time on Thursday (03:30 GMT), 22 people were killed and over 30 were injured in the north of Yemen's capital Sanaa, according to the sources. Most of the strikes hit residential areas close to the Sanaa International Airport (El Rahaba Airport).
The airstrikes also targeted government buildings and the airport itself, along with the Al-Dilmi Air Base. According to sources in Yemen’s security services, 4 Sukhoi jets stationed at the base were destroyed as a result of the strikes.
The military operation in Yemen started at 7 p.m. EST. It began with airstrikes, but will also involve "other military assets," al-Jubeir said, adding that artillery from a coalition of more than 10 countries is en route to Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV channel has reported dozens of civilian casualties in the Sanaa airstrikes. The channel urged Yemen's medical personnel to report to Sanaa hospitals as soon as possible.
Reports from the ground indicate that Saudi forces have bombed an office belonging to Houthi rebels in Sanaa's Jiraf area, with many casualties. Local residents say bombs from warplanes have completely destroyed the airport in Sanaa, which is now without power.
Saudi Arabia plans to involve 100 fighter jets and 150,000 servicemen in the coalition military operation launched against Houthi militia in Yemen on Wednesday, Al Arabiya reports.