Saudi-led Coalition Says 100 Jets Used in Yemen Offensive

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Riyadh: The Saudi-led coalition said 100 fighter jets took part in the commencement of ‘Operation Dawn of Yemen’ against Iran-backed Houthi fighters on Monday, as the Yemeni government stepped up its effort to reclaim territory held by the group.

According to coalition spokesman Maj. Gen. Turki Al-Maliki, the operation destroyed 324 high-value targets, and air operations against moving Houthi objectives are still ongoing. The alliance announced that it was providing round-the-clock air assistance to Yemeni government forces battling on the ground.

The alliance is also providing air security for the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden. Yemeni government forces said they had retaken control of areas of the vital territory, including Dhubab district and Dhubab airport, while Houthi sources denied the claims.

The offensive comes after huge Houthi advances in recent weeks, including victories along the Red Sea coast and around Taiz, where combat has escalated. The fresh fighting has ended four years of relative quiet and threatens to exacerbate Yemen's humanitarian crisis while disrupting a critical global marine route. 

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