Armed forces, backed by the Saudi government, have begun an assault on the key Yemeni port of Hudaydah, which is held by rebels, according to Saudi satellite news channel. It is poses a threat to more than 2 lakh people living there.
The port is the main point of entry for aid in rebel-held areas. An assault poses risk of starvation to about eight million people in the war-torn country.
ALSO READ: Afghanistan announces unconditional ceasefire with Taliban ahead of Eid
Top things to know:
- Bombing started after Iranian-backed Houthi rebels ignored a deadline set by the government to withdraw by midnight.
- The conflict has been raging since late 2014, when the Houthis and allied forces controlled north-western parts of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa,
- Forced President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi to flee abroad.
- Saudi Arabia and eight other Sunni Arab states launched a military campaign in March 2015 to restore Hadi’s government.
- The conflict has created the world’s largest food emergency.