First Red Cross aid plane lands in Yemeni capital

The first Red Cross aid plane landed in Yemen's capital Sana'a on Friday, more than two weeks after Saudi-led coalition forces launched airstrikes in the country.

The first cargo plane, carrying 16.4 tonnes of medicines, bandages and surgical equipment, landed at the Sana'a international airport earlier in the day, airport authorities told Xinhua news agency.

The first Red Cross cargo plane for Yemen was expected to arrive in Sana'a on Wednesday, but was delayed as the committee was waiting for permission from the coalition forces.

Earlier Friday, several Shia Houthi targets and military bases in Sana'a were pounded by the Saudi-led coalition airstrikes, with no immediate report of casualties so far.

Traffic in Sana'a is almost absent due to severe fuel shortage, as no flights or ships could bring supplies to Yemen that is besieged by the coalition forces for more than two weeks.

In many districts in Sana'a, residents have no access to electricity and water.

However, Houthi militia tightened their grip on the northern provinces, including the capital Sana'a, and advanced to the southern provinces, including Aden, the main base of President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) on Tuesday said that over 500 people, including dozens of children, were killed and 1,800 others injured, while over 10,000 residents have fled.