Yemeni rebels defy Saudi-led strikes to press offensive
Yemen's Shiite rebels pressed their offensive in the country's south on Thursday as a Saudi-led coalition bombarded them from the air in at least six cities, less than two days after announcing the end of a monthlong campaign against the Iran-supported militants.
Riyadh had said Tuesday that it was entering a new phase in its campaign against the Shiite rebels, known as Houthis, who captured Yemen's capital last year. The air campaign is aimed at rolling back the rebels and restoring embattled President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, a close US ally who fled to Saudi Arabia last month.
The coalition's spokesman said operation "Decisive Storm" was ending and announced the start of a new phase called "Renewal of Hope," which would focus on diplomacy, humanitarian aid and counterterrorism.
But hours after the announcement, new airstrikes hit the rebels and their allies - suggesting the US-backed offensive was being scaled back but not completely halted.
