Hodeida (Debriefer)- The Yemeni western governorate of Hodeida witnessed early on Friday new fierce battles pitting the pro-government joint forces against the Houthi fighters.
Violent clashes erupted at Friday dawn between the Houthi group and the joint forces in the western coast, local sources said, as the two parties exchanged shells using medium and light guns after a period of vigilant calm.
The fighting was triggered by an attack and artillery shelling launched by Houthis at joint forces' sites towards the Hodeida University and 22-May parade stage, the sources added.
In the past hours, clashes expanded to other areas at the Red Sea city's fringes, with additional reinforcements arriving at flashpoints, according to the sources.
A number of mortar shells fell onto some inhabited quarters, leaving civilian casualties, local residents in Hodeida said.
Late in 2018, the United Nations announced a ceasefire deal reached by the Yemeni official government and the Houthi group in the strategic governorate, but the truce has seen repeated breaches.
