More countries sending troops to fight Houthis

Dubai - 20 Indians killed in air strikes at Hodeidah port.

After Qatar confirmed it had dispatched 1,000 troops for Yemen, more Arab countries have lined up to send ground forces ready to fight as part of the Arab coalition against the Houthi rebels.
According to Al Sharq Al Awsat Arabic newspaper, Egyptian and Sudanese ground troops will be arriving soon in Yemen to participate in Operation Restoring Hope led by Saudi Arabia. It said the Sudanese contingent will include 6,000 troops.
The paper said the Arab coalition is preparing for the final battle against Houthi militants and their supporters in Marib and Al Jawf. Another report, quoting informed sources, said Kuwait will also be sending ground troops to Yemen, in addition to its ongoing participation in air strikes.
The coalition continued its fierce air strike for the third consecutive day, pounding rebels hideouts, military sites and ammunition cashes in Sanaa, Shabwah, Mairb and Ibb.
At least 20 Indians were killed by air strikes on fuel smugglers at Yemen's Hodeidah port on Tuesday, residents and fishermen said. They said two boats were hit in the attack on an area called Al Khokha near Hodeidah port.
Air raids destroyed a huge number of military equipment and ballistic missile launchers.
The Sanaa air bombing, which lasted for hours, also destroyed the air and air defence college building, missile brigades, and presidential guard brigades west of Sanaa, as well as the reserve forces command south of Sanaa.
The strikes also targeted Al Deleimi air base north of the capital, Al Hafa military camp in east Sanaa, and the tourism and technology building near the US embassy.
It was also reported that the Iranian ambassador to Yemen left Sanaa along with other senior diplomats after Omani mediation.
His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, on Sunday announced that his two sons, Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, were heading to Yemen to join the Arab coalition forces to defend the legitimacy in Yemen.
"My two sons will be joining their fearless brothers to share with them the holy national duty as part of the Arab collation forces," said the king, quoted by Bahraini government spokesman Essa Abdulrahaman in an Al Sharq Al Awsat report.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com

• MENA