Sana’a: Saudi Arabia’s state airline suspended flights to a southern airport Tuesday along its border with Yemen amid shelling by Al Houthi militiamen.
The border area of Najran, where Saudia halted flights, came under attack from shelling by Al Houthi militiamen in neighboring Yemen, Yemeni tribal leaders said. They said the cross-border fire killed two Saudi civilians and damaged buildings.
The tribal leaders, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, also said Al Houthis captured a number of Saudi soldiers. Saudi media and defense officials had no immediate comment on the report.
Last week, three Saudi troops and dozens of rebels were killed in the fighting in the area. On Tuesday, Saudia said flights to and from the area would be suspended until further notice, without elaborating.
In southern Yemen, residents in Yemen’s war-torn city of Aden said that Al Houthis advanced to a large section in the city, forcing hundreds of families to flee to safer areas.
The residents, after being trapped inside their homes for weeks in the Tawahi district, said they were fleeing after Al Houthi militiamen shelled and stormed the area, taking over mountains surrounding the district.
Mona Mohsen, one of the residents, says panic and sounds of gunfire sent people rushing into the streets Tuesday.
A Saudi-led coalition continues to bomb Al Houthis. The air strikes campaign, which began on March 26, and the ground fighting have killed hundreds and displaced at least 300,000 Yemenis.
Saudi Arabia said Monday it was considering a cease-fire to allow aid into Yemen.
