DUBAI — Yemen’s armed forces have gained control of the entrance to the airport in strategic main port city of Hodeidah on Friday, Al Arabiya English reported quoting sources.

According to the report on Al Arabiya website, Abu Zaraa Al-Mahrami, the commander of the west coast front, said the Yemeni army and resistance forces had earlier confirmed that forces were “only meters away from the Hodeidah Airport” after they’ve seized several areas and inflicted heavy losses on the Houthis.

Meanwhile, a military source said the army and resistance forces aided by the Arab Coalition entered the town of Al-Manzar in the vicinity of the Hodeidah Airport after purging Ad Durayhimi District and Al-Dawar area at the entrance of the city, adding that they are continuing to advance towards the airport where there are fierce battles.

He also said that Houthi fighters fled some of their posts on the west coast after suffering massive losses as dozens have been killed and injured.

He added that engineering teams are working at a fast pace to remove the mines which the Houthis randomly and heavily planted to delay the army and resistance forces from advancing.