Saudi-led warplanes hit oil port in western Yemen, 7 killed

Warplanes of the Saudi-led Arab coalition on Thursday hit oil storages at Ras Isa marine terminal in Yemen's western port city of Hodyada, killing at least seven people, military and medical officials told Xinhua.

"Several airstrikes struck hit the oil storages at Ras Isa port on the Red Sea and the facility along with the tanks left up on huge flames, casualties were reported at the scene, " the local military official based in Hodyada province said on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, the Houthi-affiliated Masirah TV channel reported that "about 15 people were killed and nearly 20 others killed during airstrikes by the Saudi-led aggression on Ras Isa port."

In Yemen's southeastern province of Hadramout, a troop carrier was hit Thursday by a roadside bombing, leaving about four soldiers killed and three others injured, according to local security sources.

Fierce fighting continued in Yemen's third largest city of Taiz, which is under full besiege imposed by the Shiite Houthi group and their allies.

The impoverished Arab country was plunged into violence in September 2014, when the Shiite Houthi group invaded the country's capital Sanaa, driving President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi into exile.

The conflict soon turned into an all-out civil war between pro-government forces and Houthi rebels backed by troops loyal to former President Saleh, followed by the intervention of a Saudi-led Arab coalition vowing to restore the legitimate government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

The year-long conflict between various Yemeni warring factions has killed thousands of people and displaced 2.5 million. Endit