Saudi-Led Coalition Attack Kills Indian Nationals in Western Yemen

Multiple airstrikes in the coastal area of western Yemen have reportedly killed over 20 people, most of whom appear to have been Indian nationals.

More than 22 people died after an air raid targeted fuel smugglers at the port of al-Khokha located next to with city of Hodeidah in Yemen’s west, Al Jazeera reported.

مقتل 22صيادين من الجنسيه الهنديه اثر استهداف طيران العدوان السعودي قواربهم ف البحر الأحمر #الحديدة pic.twitter.com/SqjqAQZiQD

— فؤاد الحوثي (@rock_arab) 8 сентября 2015

According to local residents, planes flying for the Saudi-led coalition hit two boats in the port area, which is dominantly used by Indians.

Neither Yemeni nor Indian officials have confirmed the data on casualties.

"We are ascertaining the facts about the reports," Vikas Swarup, spokesman for India’s Ministry of External Affairs told Press Trust of India.

According to media reports, dozens of air attacks were carried out along the artery connecting the cities of Hodeidah and Taiz, aimed at Houthi rebels’ positions. The Houthis’ Abu Musa al-Asharis military camp in Hodeidah was shelled five times, a local TV channel reported.

At the same time, a number of people were killed during attacks on the capital Sanaa. Unnamed officials said that 12 Houthi militants were killed to the east of the city, while national media agency Saba reported 15 casualties among Sanaa residents.

Another 15 Yemeni civilians were killed in similar air attacks on Monday, Reuters cited local medical sources as saying.

The Saudi-led coalition has intensified its air raids across the country in the wake of a recent Houthi missile attack that claimed lives of 60 joint military force troops on Friday. The coalition now aims to launch a ground operation in an attempt to regain the city of Sanaa, Reuters reported.