HODEIDAH (Debriefer)--Fierce battles broke out on Thursday between the pro-government joint forces and the Iran-aligned Houthi fighters in Yemen's western Hodeidah province.
The battles were the fiercest since the fighting resumed in the province a week ago and took place in west and south of the district of Al-Durayhimi, local sources told Debriefer.
The two sides exchanged artillery fire, the sources said, adding that fighters from both sides were killed and wounded.
The joint forces advanced and are besieging the Houthis in the district from three directions, they said.
The UAE-backed joint forces include the Giants Brigades, the Guards of the Republic and the Tihama Resistance.
Other clashes took place in Sanaa Street, Al-Saleh Strip and Al-Mandhar, military sources said.
Hodeidah is very important because it has three strategic ports, Hodeidah port, Al-Saleef port and Ras Isa port through which lifesaving materials for more than 70% of the population enter.
In late 2018, the internationally recognised government and the Houthi group reached a deal on Hodeidah following UN-sponsored talks in Sweden. The deal included provisions on a ceasefire and re-deploying forces into positions out of the city and the ports.
