国际英语新闻:Yemeni gov't forces secure institutions, companies after Houthis withdrawal in Hodeidah

ADEN, Yemen, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Yemeni government forces backed by the Saudi-led coalition started Tuesday securing several institutions, factories and private facilities after the withdrawal of Houthi rebels from neighborhoods in the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah.

According to a statement released by the government forces, soldiers backed by armored vehicles started protecting several institutions and private facilities including factories following days of fighting with Houthis.

The statement said that the government forces are attempting to bring life back to the areas and neighborhoods freed from the Houthi rebels in Hodeidah.

"Major companies belonging to the government or to local investors are now under full protection of the armed forces in Hodeidah," it reads.

Fighting against Houthis will continue, the government forces said, adding that "liberating the key port is the main military goal."

But local sources said that some of the factories were badly affected by the ongoing armed confrontations taking place in Hodeidah.

Airstrikes and artillery shelling partially destroyed some factories specialized in manufacturing local dairy products, according to the sources.

All shops were shut down and most of the city's streets remained blocked with barricades amid complete absence of daily life activities in Hodeidah.

Many families started fleeing their houses and took shelter in other neighboring safe areas, while many faced difficulties and did not afford transportation costs to flee Hodeidah, according to local residents.

The Saudi-backed government forces vowed to continue in pushing forward in an attempt to seize full control over the city's strategic port, but Houthis face the offensive with stiff resistance.

Yemen's internationally-backed government and Saudi Arabia have repeatedly accused the Houthi rebels of using Hodeidah's port to smuggle Iranian weapons. Both Houthis and Iran denied the accusation.

Hodeidah is the single most important point of entry for food and basic supplies to Yemen's northern provinces controlled by Houthis, including the capital Sanaa.

The Arab coalition intervened in Yemen's conflict in March 2015 to roll back Iran-allied Shiite Houthi rebels and reinstate Hadi.