Air strikes and fierce clashes shook the outskirts of Yemen's rebel-held port city of Hodeida overnight, pro-government sources and residents said Sunday, despite a UN-brokered ceasefire.
At least 29 fighters, including 22 Huthi rebels, were killed on Saturday night in clashes and air strikes in Hodeida province, a pro-government military source told AFP.
He added that seven rebels were captured during an attack on Al-Durayhimi district, which lies about 20 kilometres south of Hodeida city.
A resident of the city reached by telephone said that the clashes were "fierce" and the sounds of jets could be heard throughout the night until about 5 am (0200 GMT) on Sunday.
The fighting comes days after a UN-backed ceasefire came into effect, part of a hard-won accord agreed in Sweden between Yemen's warring sides.
The truce between Yemeni government forces, backed by a Saudi-led military coalition, and the Huthi rebels was due to be followed by the withdrawal within days of fighters on both sides.
In comments published Saturday on the rebel-run Saba news agency, the Huthis accused pro-government forces of shelling residential neighbourhoods in Hodeida city.
Thursday's ceasefire accord has been seen as the most significant step towards ending the devastating conflict in Yemen, where more than 14 million people are on the brink of famine.
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