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             Saudi-Led Airstrikes Continue for Second Day in Yemen

   by VOA News

   Fighter jets are striking targets in Yemen for a second consecutive
   day, as part of a Saudi Arabia-led regional effort to oust Houthi
   rebels who have taken over much of the country.

   Coalition warplanes pounded military bases and other rebel-held targets
   in and around the capital, Sana'a, on Friday, according to Saudi media
   and witnesses in Yemen.

   Saudi military officials have declared the first phase of the bombing
   campaign to be "successful," but warn that an allied ground offensive
   may also be necessary.

   A rapidly assembled coalition of 10 countries, including five Gulf
   monarchies, is trying to defeat the Iran-backed Houthis and reinstall
   Yemen's internationally recognized government.

   Iran, which denies funding and training the Shi'ite Houthis, has
   slammed the Saudi-led offensive as a dangerous step that will worsen
   the situation in Yemen.

   Rebel leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi on Thursday slammed Saudi Arabia, as
   well as the United States, which is offering "logistical and
   intelligence support" to the offensive.

   "The foolish, stupid, unjust, oppressive and arrogant Saudi regime has
   gambled [on the support of] America and gambled on some other regimes,
   which it paid to buy their support," the rebel leader said.

   Houthi officials say at least 18 people were killed and 24 wounded in
   the Thursday airstrikes. There was no immediate word on casualties from
   the Friday bombings.

   Yemen has sunk into violence and chaos since a popular uprising ousted
   longtime strongman President Ali Abdullah Saleh in 2012.

   The Houthis have taken over the capital and have battled Sunnis and
   various tribes as they try to advance throughout the rest of the
   country.

   The rebel advance prompted Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to
   flee the country earlier this week. His location was not known until
   Thursday when he reappeared in the Saudi capital, Riyadh.
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   ond-day-in-yemen/2696496.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/saudi-led-airstrikes-continue-for-second-day-in-yemen/2696496.html