Aid groups operating in Yemen and the Houthis (Ansarallah), who control Sanaa, on Wednesday (August 9th) appealed to the Arab coalition to allow the reopening of the city’s airport, which has now closed for a year, AFP reported.
The coalition closed Sanaa airport to all but very limited UN flights in August last year, saying it was necessary to prevent arms smuggling.
But aid groups have warned that the closure is hampering the delivery of desperately needed supplies which now have to go through the Red Sea port of al-Hodeida.
The Norwegian Refugee Council country director Mutasim Hamdan said it was vital that the airport reopen.
"It is critical that all channels of domestic and international air movement are reopened so Yemenis can get help, and help can get to Yemenis," he said.
