Aden — There have been no civilian casualties in the battle to liberate Yemen’s Hodeidah airport, Arab Coalition spokesman Col. Turki Al-Maliki said in an interview with Al Arabiya from Brussels, accusing the Houthis of placing tanks inside residential areas.

“Protecting civilians is one of Coalition’s top priorities in operation to liberate Hodeidah,” he said.

“We have assured the international community about the protection of civilian lives amid the battle for Hodeidah,” Col. Maliki said, adding that there is no dire humanitarian crisis in Hodeidah.

“We are continuing to work with the Yemeni government to restore stability in Hodeidah. We have humanitarian and development plans following the liberation of the entire city,” he said.

“We are now destroying Houthi fortifications near the airport,” the Coalition spokesman said.

“Hodeidah port is operating as normal and the movement of ships is normal,” Col. Maliki said.

The Yemeni National Army supported by Arab Coalition forces launched strikes on Houthi militia targets in the key port city of Hodeidah on Wednesday.

Yemeni armed forces de-mined neighborhoods.

Col. Maliki said Houthis are attacking from mosques and residential areas in the port city.

Strikes were reported on eastern Hodeidah where armed forces were combing through residential areas.

“The airport was completely cleared, Thank God, and is under control,” coalition commander Abdul Salaam Al-Shehi said in a video posted by the United Arab Emirates’ official WAM news agency. — Agencies