Saudi-led coalition reopens 2 airports in Yemen as famine worries mount

Saudi-led alliance lifted a blockade of two key airports in Yemen, broadcaster Al Arabiya reported on Saturday, amid warnings that millions in the war-torn country could starve without deliveries of food aid.


The bloc closed all of Yemen's main air and sea ports on Monday, a move it said was aimed at stopping the flow of arms to Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

The blockade came in response to a ballistic missile fired at the Saudi capital Riyadh by the Houthis two days earlier.

"The coalition re-opened Aden and Seiyoun airports," said Murad al-Halimi, the transport minister of the Saudi-backed Yemeni government, according to Saudi broadcaster Al Arabiya.

He added that scheduled flights by national carrier Yemeni Airways would resume on Sunday.

The coalition continues to block traffic at the main airport in the rebel-held capital Sana'a.

The United Nations and several humanitarian groups this week warned that millions could die in Yemen from famine if the blockade, which includes relief aid, was not lifted.
 [dailysabah.com/DPA]
 11/11/17