Sana’a: Saudi-led air strikes on weapons caches in Yemen’s rebel-held capital on Monday caused huge explosions that shattered windows, woke up residents and sent towering clouds of smoke into the sky.
The explosions in Sana’a came as fighting intensified in the southern port city of Aden, where Al Houthi militiamen along with military units loyal to a former autocrat are battling youths and forces loyal to internationally recognised President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi, who fled the country last month.
Mushroom clouds rose over Fag Atan, in the mountainous outskirts of Sana’a where the capital’s largest weapons caches are located. The site has been targeted several times during the three-week air campaign. A Yemeni official said the Saudi-led warplanes are demolishing parts of the mountain, hoping to uncover and destroy Scud missiles. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to the press.
Residents posted videos and pictures of the explosions, and the damage they had caused, on social media.
“The hanging ceiling and chandelier fell because of the explosions,” resident Mohammad Mohsin said.
Saudi Arabia and allied countries began launching air strikes on March 26, hoping to roll back the rebels, who seized Sana’a in September and have overrun large parts of the country with the help of security forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
Western governments and Arab countries accuse Al Houthis of receiving arms from Iran. Iran and the rebels deny that, though the Islamic Republic has provided political and humanitarian support to the group.
Militia leader Abdul Malek Al Houthi struck a defiant tone on Sunday, saying: “The great Yemeni people will never surrender and never be subjugated.”
Al Houthis and Saleh loyalists have been trying to take over Aden since late last month. On Monday, heavy fighting erupted near the airport and in the central Al Arish district between the Houthis and local armed groups formed by residents to defend their neighbourhoods, witnesses said.
