The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen has launched 13 air strikes targeting an air base adjoining the country's primary airport in Sanaa, local witnesses said.
The raids targeted drone maintenance sites, a communications system and locations of drone experts and operators, coalition spokesman Colonel Turki al-Maliki said according to Saudi's official news agency.
"The terrorist, Iran-backed Houthi militias have transformed Sanaa airport into a military barracks and a place to launch drones to carry out terrorist attacks that threaten regional and international security", Maliki said.
Maliki added that the targets were legitimate and that the operation is consistent with international humanitarian law.
Al Masirah TV, which is controlled by the Houthis, also said 13 air strikes targeted al-Dulaimi Air Base in Sanaa as well as Sanaa Airport.
"Planes have been flying for more than an hour, and sounds of violent explosions rocked the north of the city where the airport and the military base are located," said one of the residents.