Coalition forces impose full naval blockade around Yemen - spokesman

RIYAHD, April 12 (KUNA) -- In a new move to encircle Houthi militias and bar them from getting any external military or logistic aid, the coalition forces has imposed a full naval blockade around Yemen, announced Sunday the Saudi-led Coalition Spokesman Brigadier General Ahmad Asiri.
In his daily press briefing, Asiri added that the coalition naval forces, acting at the behest of the Yemeni government, could now stop, board and inspect any vessel entering or leaving Yemeni ports.
The coalition forces would not allow anybody to provide Houthi rebels with any kind of aid, Asiri stressed.
He pointed out that the coalition aircraft have bombarded -- in the past hours -- Brigade 310 in Sana'a and Brigade 22 in Ta'iz, several Houthi camps, weapons and ammunition stores and shelters in mountains.
Asiri stated that the coalition forces are intensifying airstrikes to prevent Houthi rebels and their aillies from regrouping to restore the areas which they have lost in the past weeks.
He lauded the positive moves of the Yemeni tribes in Shabwah, Lahj, and Abyan to defend legitimacy.
The situation is stable on the Saudi-Yemeni borders except for some isolated attacks that are launched in pursuit of a media victory to cover their losses and ease the pressure on other militias targets, Asiri said.
He laid it bare that despite their attempts, Houthi militias have not controlled a centimeter of Saudi territories.
Asiri noted that there is no indication, so far, that Houthi militants have used prohibited weapons or ammunition in the ongoing battles.
On March 26th morning, a Saudi-led coalition of more than 10 countries began military operations to protect the people of Yemen and their legitimate government from the advancing Houthi militias.
The military intervention, dubbed "Operation Decisive Storm," was carried out at the request of the Yemeni government. Yemen has been gripped by increased turmoil since the Houthi rebels overran the capital, Sana'a, in September.
Meanwhile, Sudan declared Monday as the last day for evacuating its nationals seeking to leave the war-stricken country.
A senior official stated that over 1,761 Sudanese were evacuated from Yemen out of 4,500 living there.
Sudanese nationals who want to depart Yemen have to contact the embassy as soon as possible to arrange for his/her transportation, he said. (end) od.ibi