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Houthi rebels seize sea port and airport in Yemen's Aden

Rebels, supported by several army units, received reinforcements despite coalition air strikes, which determined the outcome of the fighting in the country’s second-largest city

BEIRUT, April 6. /TASS/. Houthi rebels in Yemen have seized the port and international airport in Aden, Al-Mayadeen TV channel reported on Tuesday.

Rebels, supported by several army units, received reinforcements despite air strikes delivered at their positions by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition, which determined the outcome of the fighting in the country’s second-largest city, Al-Mayadeen said.

The coalition’s aviation delivered air strikes at central and western regions of Yemen. Saba news agency reported that a school was hit in the city of Ibb, around 160 kilometers from Sanaa. Three children were killed and more than 20 injured. Yemen’s Education Ministry sent a note of protest to UN, demanding an investigation of this "military crime."

More than 230 Houthi field commanders have been killed over the last two weeks in air strikes, around 3,000 supporters of the Ansar Allah movement were injured, according to the Elaf internet portal.

UNICEF said today that more than 200,000 Yemeni refugees fled their homes since the start of the military conflict in the country. At least 74 children were killed, and 44 more injured. On Sunday, the UN reported that 549 have been killed in Yemen since March 19, including 217 civilians.

Crisis in Yemen

Since August 2014, Yemen has been hit by a severe political and security crisis. In late January, the armed groups of Ansar Allah (Houthi rebels) forced the president and the government to announce resignation.

The rebels later took control of the country’s capital and several northern provinces. They also announced the adoption of the so-called constitutional declaration.

Overnight to March 26, Saudi Arabia launched a military operation in the neighboring country and delivered air strikes at several Houthi positions. Yemeni President Abd Rabbah Mansur Hadi fled the country to Saudi Arabia.

Houthi rebels are currently fighting pro-government forces over control in central and south-eastern provinces of the Persian Gulf country. The coalition is considering launching a ground operation in Yemen to oust Houthis.