HOUTHI MEDIA: AIR STRIKE ON YEMEN ARMY HQ KILLS SCORES

Sanaa, 21 Sya’ban 1436/8 June 2015 (MINA) – At least 44 people have been killed and more than 100 injured in an air strike at the Yemeni army headquarters in the capital Sanaa, according to the Houthi-run Saba news agency.

Earlier on Sunday, army officials said that four explosions shook the compound in central Sanaa, where soldiers allied with the Houthi group that dominates Yemen had gathered since Saturday evening to get their pay cheques.

“More than 44 citizens were martyred and 100 others [injured] including women and children, according to preliminary figures,” Saba said, adding the air strikes targeted the armed forces high command building in the Tahrir area, Al Jazeera quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Officials speaking to the AP news agency on condition said only 22 people were killed and that the dead were mostly soldiers. The officials added that the air strikes damaged several nearby homes.

An Arab coalition has been bombarding Houthi rebels and allied army units since March 26 in a campaign aimed at restoring President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to power.

Residents said coalition aircraft also targeted other military camps east and west of the capital but there was no immediate word on casualties, the Reuters news agency reported.

On Saturday, the Houthis and their allies in the army fired a Scud missile into Saudi Arabia which the kingdom said it shot down, in a major escalation after two months of war.

Coalition air strikes and shelling after the attack killed 38 Yemenis in provinces near Saudi Arabia, according to Saba reports, which could not be immediately confirmed. (T/P001/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)