ADEN, Yemen, June 11 (Xinhua) -- The pro-government army received more reinforcements Monday to prepare for an imminent massive attack against Houthi rebels in Yemen's western port city of Hodeidah, a military source told Xinhua.
The source based in Hodiedah pointed out that ferocious armed confrontations are currently underway in different areas located near the city's main entrances.
"Well-trained soldiers arrived and will participate with other joint forces in the liberation battle of Hodeidah soon," the source said anonymously.
The official spokesman of Yemen's National Resistance Forces in Hodeidah confirmed that "new battalions of the national resistance troops arrived in Hodeidah after completing the arming and military training period."
Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that leads the anti-Houthi military campaign in Yemen's western coast areas and in Hodeidah informed aid agencies via the UK's Department for International Development to leave the city within three days.
The UK government note to the United Nations and other international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) operating in Yemen indicating that a "military assault now looks imminent on Hodeidah port and city."
On Friday, the UN issued a public statement saying that in its worst-case scenario planning as many as 250,000 civilians would be killed as a result of an attack on Hodeidah.
Earlier in the day, an army commander said that the Saudi Arabia-led coalition carried out several airstrikes against rebel posts in Hodeidah.
He added that the airstrikes targeted the areas of Aljah, Durayhmi and locations along the main road linking Hodeidah with Taiz province, leading to the deaths of more than 39 from both sides.
The Saudi-led coalition has been fighting the Iranian-allied Houthi rebels since March 2015. More than 10,000 people, mostly civilians, were killed in the war that displaced over 3 million and pushed the impoverished country into the brink of famine.
The anti-Houthi Arab coalition has sent hundreds of troops to the Yemeni western coast in preparation for the advancement into Houthi-held Hodeidah, a long-time key military target declared by the coalition.
The Saudi- and Emirati-backed Yemeni forces continued in making ground advancement during the battles taking place with Houthis on Yemen's west coast near of Hodeidah airport.
Hodeidah is a vital lifeline for the delivery of humanitarian supplies to the Houthi-controlled northern provinces, including the country's capital Sanaa.
