SANAA, October 18 (RIA Novosti) - Houthi militants have seized a strategically important Yemeni land port Haradh near the border with Saudi Arabia, the port's customs officer told RIA Novosti Saturday.
The seized land port is located in the north of Yemen and connects the country with Saudi Arabia. This is one of the most important ports, which is used for transportation of citizens and two-way trade between the two countries.
A few days ago, Houthis have entered and took control of the city of Harad in the province of Hajjah.
The Houthis, or the Ansarullah, are the main opposition force in Yemen. The Shiite group has been carrying out protests in the country since mid-August, demanding the resignation of the Yemeni government, which they say is corrupt and marginalizes the Shiite community in the country.
Currently the insurgents have control over several regions of western Yemen. They have seized the cities of Hodeida, Dhamar, and significant parts of al-Jawf and Hajjah governorates as well as the administrative center of Ibb. The rebels also control the entrances into the Yemeni capital of Sanaa and continue their advance on the city of Taiz and several other cities.
