Yemen govt clash: 149 killed in 24 hours

New Delhi : Close to 149 people including civilians were killed in 24 hours of clashes between government loyalists and rebels in Yemen's flashpoint city of Hodeida, medics and military people. The news has been confirmed by official sources on Monday. Besides, dozens of people were seriously injured. The wounded were taken to the health care centers outside the city.

A source close to the development in Hodeida confirmed seven civilians had died in the key port city, without giving further details. The wounded were rushed to hospitals in the provinces of Sanaa and Ibb.

Medics in hospitals across Hodeida reported 110 Huthi rebels and 32 loyalist fighters killed overnight. Military sources confirmed that a Saudi-led pro-government alliance had targeted the rebels with multiple air strikes.

Hodeida also known as Al-Hudaydah is the fourth-largest city in Yemen and its principal port on the Red Sea. It has a population of 2,400,000 people and is the centre of the Al Hudaydah Governorate. In terms of economy, the source of income is exporting coffee, cotton, dates and hides. The city was once known for producing striped coarse cotton cloth, woven by hand. It was also a center for tanning and sandal making. 

For now, the port of Al Hudaydah plays a crucial role in allowing food to be imported into the country. Besides, the port has been in dispute over the course of Yemeni civil war.