The Saudi-led military coalition has launched a new round of airstrikes on the Houthi rebels and their allies in the Yemeni central city of Taiz and the southern port of Aden.
The aerial bombardment resumed after rebels overran the headquarters of the 35th Armoured Brigade in Taiz, which is loyal to the Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi,
A Yemeni Army official was quoted by Agence-France Presse as saying that dozens of people died or were injured in the heavy fighting, and the coalition warplanes targeted rebels inside the base shortly after its takeover.
The aircraft also bombarded the Houthis and allied soldiers loyal to the deposed President Ali Abdullah Saleh, near the city’s central prison, the official added.
The strikes came hours after Saudi Arabia announced the end of its four-week old campaign, code-named Operation Decisive Storm, against the Houthis, who currently control large swathes of the country, including its capital Sana’a.
Saudi Ambassador to the US Adel bin Ahmed Al-Jubeir said the campaign successfully achieved its narrow objectives and the coalition will now begin Operation Renewal of Hope, which will facilitate the political process to bring stability and security in Yemen.
The Ambassador said: "We’ve degraded their capabilities substantially and thereby eliminated the threat that they pose to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and, in the process, ensure the safety of our borders, our territory and our citizens.
"The objective is to focus on the political process, on the humanitarian process, while at the same time seeking to protect the Yemeni population from Houthi aggression.
"When the Houthis or their allies make aggressive moves, there will be a response. The decision to calm matters now rests entirely with them."
Meanwhile, Houthis rebels said they will return to the UN-sponsored peace talks only after the Saudi-led coalition completely ends its offensive.
According to a UN estimate, at least 944 people have been killed and 3,487 injured in air strikes, fighting on the ground, and attacks by rebel fighters in Yemen since 19 March.
