32 killed in western port clashes in Yemen

In Western Yemen, 32 combatants were killed in the battle for a key coastal town between government forces and Houthi rebels. Military officials said that the deaths occurred as forces loyal to President Abedrabbo Masnour Hadi advanced into neighbourhoods of Mokha and Houthis retreated to northern and western parts of the town.

Loyalists backed by the firepower of a Saudi-led Arab coalition entered the strategic port town in late January as part of their efforts to drive the rebels



away from the Red Sea coast. The clashes yesterday left dead 24 rebel fighters, including 12 whose bodies were taken a hospital in Mokha. Eight soldiers were killed, military and medical officials said.

Forces supporting Hadi, backed by the coalition, began a major offensive on January 7th to recapture the coastline overlooking the strategic Bab al-Mandab Strait. More than 400 combatants have been killed since government forces launched their drive up the Red Sea coastline.