SANAA, May 2 (Xinhua) -- Warplanes of the U.S.-British coalition launched five airstrikes against the airport of Yemen's port city of Hodeidah on Thursday, Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported.

The television gave no further details, but residents said they heard big explosions and saw smoke rising after the raids.

The airport has been closed since the Houthi group seized control over the port city following the eruption of a civil war in Yemen more than nine years ago.

Since last November, the Houthis have been launching anti-ship ballistic missile and drone attacks, vowing to prevent Israeli-linked commercial vessels from transiting the Red Sea.

The Houthis said their attacks were in solidarity with the Palestinian people and would not stop until Israel stops its war against Gaza.

Several commercial vessels had been damaged by the Houthi attacks, including the sinking of an oil tanker, which caused an oil slick and prompted serious concerns about environmental damage.

In response, the U.S.-British naval coalition stationed in the waters had conducted air raids and missile strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen since January, particularly in Hodeidah port city and its airport, to deter the group, but only led to an expansion of Houthi attacks to include U.S. and British commercial vessels and naval ships. Enditem

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