Saudi-led Arab coalition spokesman Brigadier General Turki al-Malki said that the coalition’s air operations over the past 18 days prevented the Houthis from storming into the Abdiya district of Marib governorate.

Malki added that the coalition carried out 118 attacks during the past 96 hours, to protect civilians in Abdiya. He said 15 military vehicles of the Houthi militia were destroyed and more than 400 militia members were killed.

The coalition spokesperson called on the United Nations and international organizations to assume their humanitarian responsibility towards the civilians in the area.

The Houthi militia launched a violent attack on the district, in parallel with calls by Yemeni activists and human rights organizations for an international intervention to lift the siege imposed on its residents, who are deprived of food and medical supplies.

The Yemeni Teachers Syndicate had previously announced the suspension of classes in 18 schools in the besieged district, adding that more than 8,000 students were deprived of education.