SANA, Yemen — Saudi-led naval forces imposed a blockade on Yemen’s ports as coalition airstrikes repelled an advance on the southern port city of Aden by Shiite rebels and forces loyal to a former president on Monday, what appeared to be the most intense day of fighting since the air campaign began five days ago.
The move to block ports appeared aimed at preventing the rebels, known as Houthis, from rearming, and comes after the coalition achieved full control of the skies and bombed rebel-held airports. The rebels are supported by Iran, but Iran and the Houthis deny Tehran has armed them.
As night fell, intense explosions could be heard throughout the rebel-held capital, where warplanes had carried out strikes since the early morning. Military officials from both sides of the conflict said that airstrikes were targeting areas east and south of Taiz, the third-largest city, as well as its airport, while naval artillery and airstrikes hit coastal areas east of Aden.
“It’s like an earthquake,” Sana resident Ammar Ahmed said.
