let's bring in hashem ahelbarra.et that right, in some areas commanders have said they are going to turn back and support what they describe as the legitimate government; is that right? >> reporter: absolutely. this follows a call to top military commanders in yemen who are still affiliated with the forces of ali abdullah saleh. they want them to join the forces supporting hadi. the top commander of the military establishment abandoned saleh and the houthis

hashem ahelbarra reports. >> houthi tanks destroyed in saudi led airings strarchtion. tanksair strikes. spotted on the runway near a military base near capital sanaa. the houthis were also hit. >> trying to redeploy in aden and other areas but their convoice were soon targeted by coalition forces. >> reporter: there is no indication that the military operation will come to an end any time soon. for saudi arabia the use of force was the only way to prevents the houthis from controlling yemen. >> i would not describe the military operations in yemen as a proxy war but a war of necessity. as i described earlier we had no choice but to respond to the request of the letting government in order to prevent the takeover of yemen by a radical group. the iranians last time i checked did not have a border with yemen. there is no reason for iran to be involved with yemen. >> houthi troops backed with troops still loyal with ali abdullah saleh send ground troops for the time being the saudis have no plans for a full scale ground invasion. forces loyal to yemen's president abd rabbu

hashem ahelbarra ahelbarra has the latest. >> areas controlled by the houthis. the saudis say houthi rebels have acquired a huge number of weapons over the past few months. they worry that these weapons may be used in revenge attacks against saudi arabia. all the targets are destroyed. the dairy factory became an inferno in the western port city of hedada, dozens were killed. on monday a strike hit a refugee cam many called it a violation of international law. accusations dismissby the houthi coalition. >> the saudis are the ones that attacked the dairy factory. the the houthis used hughts houthis used propaganda. >> sources loyal to former president ali abdullah saleh and intense ground fighting has moved to the port city of aden. a secessionist group has said it has helped take over the southern city's international airport and surrounding area. the secessionist is only one group of that is now helping the houthis on the ground. each has its own agenda. the groups include those loyal to ali abdullah saleh. gaining control of yemen won't come easily but the reg

hashem ahelbarra has the latest. >> coalition officials say the tanks were on their way to aden where fighting continues. these war planes were spotted on the runway of a military base near the capital sanaa. they were also hit. >> the houthis are now disorganized. their action he disorganized. they are trying to redeploy in aden and other areas but their convoys were soon targeted by coalition forces. >> there is no indication that the military operation may come to an end any time soon. for saudi arabia the use of force was the only way to prevent the houthis from controlling yemen. >> i would not describe the military operations in yemen as a proxy war i would consider it a war of necessity. >> backed by troops still loyal to ali abdullah saleh still hold ground in many provinces. many want the saudis and their allies to send ground troops to defeat the houthis. but for the time being the saudis have no plans for a full scale ground judge vacation. forces loyal to abd rabbu mansour hadi are gaining ground in aden and some areas in the south. vehicles speed away carrying people spee

hashem ahelbarra has this report. >> reporter: these are from the international committee of red cross arriving in the southern yemeni city of aden. the doctors arrived by boat after the trip was approved by the saudi-led coalition. >> it's a mandate of the icfc to make care of the victims of war. for us, as a surgical team, we have the skills and expertise to treat the special type of trauma caused by high-speed bullets and bombs. >> reporter: the united nations chief is concerned about yemen's deteriorating security and humanitarian situation. >> ordinarily yemeni families are drugging for the basics - water, food fuel and medicines. hundreds of civilians have been killed. hospitals and schools are shutting down some of which are direct targets of the fighting. >> reporter: /* >> reporter: the conflict in yemen made life difficult for millions of people. no clean water, electricity is cut most of the time and people have to queue for days to fill the cars. the cars. we have been waitting for four days in this queue for gas. today is the fifth day. we are hopeful. due to the air strik

. >> more from hashem ahelbarra, who is monitoring the event from the doha headquarters. give us an overview of the situation right now, especially of course, in aden. >> it's a delicate situation with the ongoing fighting between forces loyal to president abd-rabbu mansour hadi, and forces loyal to the houthis, and the former president ali abdullah saleh. fighting is raging iters in the center of aden. this led to a deer tear rate rating -- deteriorating situation in the city particularly for civilians targeted over the last few days. hospitals are running out of medical supply asking for aid to cope with a rising number of civilians killed or injured in the fighting. so it's a very delicate situation. and, yet, this is a situation that you can see replicated in different parts of the country. deteriorating situation because of ongoing fighting. >> in the last hour we listened to the daily-led news conference from the saudi-led spokesperson. as well as admitting there was a humanitarian situation, and that they'd allow aid in they made an appeal to some yemeni army comma

hashem ahelbarra reports. >> reporter: this is saudi arabia's new crown prince.nce mohammed replaces his uncle in a major reshuffle. he is also minister of interior and chairman of the council for political and security affairs, a body that makes decisions or threats facing the kingdom. the new crown prince has built strong ties with the u.s. when he was in charge of the fight against al-qaeda. but this is the man who is likely to play a crucial role in the future of the oil rich kingdom. the king's son has been appointed as new deputy crown prince. mohammed serves also as minister of defense and chief of the royal court. shakeups in saudi arabia are closely monitored by the world. the country is the world's biggest oil-producer. >> previously there was questions about the succession about the issue of the first generation becoming very old, all of them being in their 70s and their 80s. now we have a second generation mostly fairly young in their 50s, very well experienced. >> reporter: saudi's new leaders face mounting challenges like the growing instability in

joining us in doha is hashem ahelbarra, who has supported extensively on yemen. looking back over the past week so see if militarily the objectives set out by the coalition has been achieved. >> what was interesting yesterday in the press conference by the saudi army the first person. saudi-led coalition says that they are in a phase when they are concentrating air strikes in the southern part of the country, in cooperation with mill isha said loyal to the government. they are targetting movements of houthi fighters in the south, particularly in aden. we know now that aden has been recaptured by forces loyal to abd-rabbu mansour hadi. they are trying to push the houthis out of the aden area. fighting has been going on in those areas. the factory hit - the reason the saudis are hit by had ada, it's under control of the houthis, it's a place where you have the seaport, a military base and areas now controlled by the houthis. the biggest concern is this is a place where the houthis get messages from the iranians. saudi arabia is of the few it is willing, trying to p

hashem ahelbarra, al jazeera. >> denouncing the houthis as aggressors. speakers at the rally accused saudi arabia of concluding with the united states against the yemeni people. president obama is commending nigeria on the presidential election. it is the country's first democratic transfer of power. he says he was impressed with how the people elected muhammadu buhari as their new leader. the pressure is now on for buhari to put his words into action. haru mutasa has the story. >> people would push and shove to get onto buses, for example they said muhammadu buhari took order in a military coup in 1983. now that he is back, some hope he'll bring that discipline to his new administration and tackle the many challenges in nigeria. >> now, this must stop because we are the grass roots we are sovereign in this country. >> reporter: nigeria is one of the world's largest producers but many don't have access to electricity. when buhari addressed the nation he called for all nigerians to unite and work together. >> this is not a time for confrontation. this is

as hashem ahelbarra reports. >> the saudi coalition ramps up air strikes in aden. war planes strike bridges on the main roads that lead to the sea port city. the aim according the saudi arm officers is to prevent houthi fighters from sending reinforcement. radar systems command centers and checkpoints have also been hit. >> translator: the houthis talk of buildings and people. they have managed to move to certain areas to take cover from the air strikes. while working in coordination with the tribesmen and popular committees. >> reporter: but violence in aden shows no signs of slowing. after days of heavy fighting and running battles many parts of the city have been destroyed. homes, shops and vehicles lie in ruins. civilians are being killed. houthi rebels along with fighters loyal to ali abdullah saleh the former president are infiltrating districts near city's port. these are fighters, loyal to president abd rabbu mansour hadi and they are putting up a fierce fight, with weapons air dropped by the saudi coalition but they remain outgunned and largely outnumbered

hashem ahelbarra has the story. >> a tv channel owned by the houthis was hit. the saudi led coalition has stepped up its military campaign to prevent houthi fighters from capturing the port city of aden. while street battles show no signs of stopping, forces loyal to abd rabbu mansour hadi are trying to push to control the city. but the houthis backed by former president ali abdullah saleh has held their ground. in the meantime iran has deployed two navy vessels near yemen. it is a move that is likely to create more tension in the region. saudi arabia accuses iran of delivering weapons to the houthis to destabilize the region. but for tehran, the ships are part of an antipiracy campaign and only way to the end of yemen's crisis. >> translator: there's no doubt that yemen could not be governed by one political faction, all active political factions with popular backing should stand together to form a government of national unity. >> reporter: air strikes have now entered a third week. its aim according to saudi officers is to destroy military capabilities of hou

hashem ahelbarra, al jazeera. >>> joining us on skype from jordan, great to have you with us. this is a country where 60% of the population was living under the poverty line. what type of humanitarian crisis are we facing here? >> well, we're looking at the direct impact of conflicts that's hitting the country at a speed i've never seen and 77 children killed in the first days schools attacked, hospitals attacked, but at the same time, we are looking at a bigger impact on the country and it's going to reflect nutrition and the country is moving towards a humanitarian disaster. >> how much food and water do we have left in the region and are we on a brink of a medical crisis? >> cities like aden that has been going through the fighting recently, a city of 1 million people the city hasn't received water for six days. and more broadly across the country, food prices have already risen as much as 50% and going up and with the inability to bring in ships we're looking at the onset of malnutrition in six weeks' time. >> you were able to get one shipment unloaded at sanaa's internati

here is hashem ahelbarra with more. >> reporter: this is the man likely to be yemen's next president. he is currently vice president and prime minister. his task is to paul together a nation on the brink of civil war. he says he's willing to work with his houthi opponents and forces loyal to the former president ali abdullah saleh, but only if they disarm. >> translation: we must give a chance united behind the project. and to achieve that militia's loyal to the houthis. yemen's challenge is the deteriorating humanitarian situation. hundreds of yemenis have been killed since the start of the the city of aden is bearing the brunt of heavy fighting. >> translation: yemen faces a tough situation shortage in food, water and food. it repairs international intervention to prevent a catastrophe in yemen. a top priority of the government is tackling urgent needs. >> for now, the president and vice president won't be able to return home. parts of country remain under houthi control. the man khaled bahah wants to reform the army is detained. he was captured by houthi fighters on the outskirt of

hashem ahelbarra al jazeera. >>> the supreme court issued a major ruling over campaign finance, upholdingestrictions on judicial candidates soliciting campaign donations. chief justice john roberts says elected judges are not like politicians. he said the only way to make sure judges are fair is to make sure they do not receive cash. >>> and they heard evidence about drugs alleged to be behind botched executions. the high court ruled once before that the drug combination does not constitution cruel and usual punishment. >>> coming up the latest gdp numbers are out. >>> and tax time for the nfl. why the nation's most profitable sports league is giving up its tax-exempt status. ♪ >>> the latest economic numbers are out. and they are not good. the economy barely grew the first quarter of this year. patricia sabga is here with betails. what is with the numbers? >> several factors weighing on the economy. very few thought this would be a good number but this was even more disappointing. the economy basically stalled in the first three months of this year consumer spending which is the engine o

hashem ahelbarra has the latest. >> reporter: the saudi-led collision ramps up air strikes. planes strike brages leading to the sea -- bridges leading to the seaport city. the aim to prevent houthi fighters sending reinforcement. radar, command centers and checkpoints have been hit. >> the houthis target buildings and people, and managed to move to certain areas, to take cover from the air strikes. whilst working in coordination with tribesman and committees. >> violence in aden shows no sign of slowing. after days of fighting and running battles, many parts of the city have been destroyed. homes, shops, vehicles lay in ruins, civilians are being killed. houthi rebels and fighters loyal to ali abdullah saleh, the former president are infiltrating districts near the city's port. these are fighters loyal to president abd-rabbu mansour hadi, and are putting up a fierce fight. they have received new weapons airdropped by the coalition. they are largely outgunned and out numbered by the rivals. aden is a battle ground. and locals are caught in the middle. president abd-rabbu mans

rejected the request >>> the offensive crippled the houthis capabilities hashem ahelbarra has more on the saudi-led operations in yemen. >> houthi tanks destroyed in saudi-led air strikes. coalition say the tanks were on their way to aden where fighting continues. these war planes were spotted on the runway of a military base that was also hit. >> translation: the houthis were isolated. they are drying to redeploy but their convoys were targeted by coalition forces. >> reporter: there's no knowledge whether the military would come to an end. the use of force was the only way to control yemen. >> i would not describe it as a proxy war with iran but a war of necessity. >> we had no choice but to respond to the request of the legitimate government in order to prevent the takeover of yemen by a radical group. the iranians last time i checked did not have a border with yemen. there's no reason for iran to be involved in yemen. >> after almost three weeks of air strikes houthi fighters backed by troops loyal to the former president ali abdullah saleh hold ground in many provinces. the yemen

i'm joined now from doha by our correspondent hashem ahelbarra. is this so important, and what was his significance to the organization? >> reporter: basically, as a spiritual leader he was always issues fatwas one of the most prominent was in 2013 urging attacks against western targets, particularly the americans. this is why he became on the radar screen of the international intelligence community. particularly the americans. and he's also been suspected of recruiting fighters who are sent to syria to fight alongside with groups affiliated with al-qaeda and isil. he is a saudi citizen who, as you said went to afghanistan, was captured sent to guantanamo then in 2006 was released went through this rehabilitation program in saudi arabia, a program that was set up to make sure that those who were detained abandoned radical ideology, and it was replicated in different parts of the mum limb world, but then once he was released he disappeared and joined al-qaeda in the arabian peninsula, and was always seen as one of the top leaders in yemen. now it r

hashem ahelbarra has more. >> saudi-led air tricks in yemen claim casualties among civilians. some are treated in hospitals. united nations expressed concerns over the rising toll in civilians since the start of the captain two weeks ago. international aid agencies say they are unable to reach many. people affected by the fighting. this person lives in an area that has been hit. her son was injured in an attack targetting a gas tanker. >> translation: if the children were in the position of my child whether or not would the response be. look how awful the situation is where the children are burnt and we are homeless from the houses. may god punish those. >> saudi army officers deny accusations to target civilians, and blame the houthis for moving the weapons to civilian areas. the coalition called on army officers loyal to the houthis and former president ali abdullah saleh to deeffect. we are targetting the houthis and the soldier loyal to ali abdullah saleh and wherever they go. our message to the military commander, you have to join and abandon the rebels. >> these are ammu

let's bring in hashem ahelbarra. did i get that right, in some areas commanders have said they are going to turn back and support what they describe as the legitimate government; is that right? >> reporter: absolutely. this follows a call to top military commanders in yemen who are still affiliated with the forces of ali abdullah saleh. they want them to join the forces supporting hadi. the top commander of the military establishment abandoned saleh and the houthis today. the spokesmann of the saudi-lead coalition confirms that some top military commanders have been in touch with the saudis letting them know they are joining the forces of hadi. we have to see how this translating on the ground. because there are still army units based across the country, still loyal ali abdullah saleh. they played an instrument in allowing the houthis to take over most of the country. it remains to be seen whether those units will finally abandon their leader saleh. if that happens we'll see a dramatic change in yemen. >> and also so

hashem ahelbarra has more. >> reporter: war planes strike houthi positions in the capital sanaa. the building near a tv channel owned by the houthis was hit. the saudi-led coalition stepped up the campaign preventing houthi fighters from capturing the port city of aden. street battles show no signs of stopping forces loyal to president abd-rabbu mansour hadi are trying to repel a push by the houthi fighters to control the city. the houthis, backed by army units loyal to the former president ali abdullah saleh hold their ground. the saudi-led coalition has warned military campaigns will not stop until the houthis disband. in the meantime iran deployed two navy vessels near yemen. it's a move that is likely to create more tension in the region. saudi arabia accuses iran of delivering weapons to the houthis, to destabilize the region. the ships are part of an anti-piracy campaign and diplomacy. it's the only way to yemen's crisis. >> people in yemen should not suffer from aerial bombardment. we need a political solution in yemen, leading to an inclusive government through the yemeni

. >> hashem ahelbarra explains how civilians are caught up in the war. >>> saudi led air strikes on yemen continues. . >> there is concern about the rising death toll. international aid agencies say they are unable to reach many affected by the fighting. this woman is in an area hit. her son was injured in an attack, targetting a gas tanker. >> translation: if the children were in the position of my child what would the response be. look how awful the situation is, where the children are burnt and we are homeless from the houses. may god punish those that displace people from their homes. >> saudi army officers deny accusations they target civilians, and blame the houthis for moving the weapons to civilian areas. the coalition called on army officers loyal to the houthis and former president ali abdullah saleh to defect. we are targetting the houthis and the soldiers loyal to ali abdullah saleh and wherever they go. our message to the military commander of the yemeni army, you have to join and abandon the rebels. >> these are ammunition depots, and the houthi positions at the moment they

here is hashem ahelbarra. >> reporter: saudi led air strikes in yemen claim casualties among civilians. some are treated at the main hospital in the capital sanaa. the united nations has expressed concerns over the death toll among civilians since the start of the military campaign almost two weeks ago. international aid agencies say they are unable to reach many effected by the fighting. this person lives in an area hit. her son was injured in an attack targetting a gas tanker. >> if the children were in the position of my child, what would the response be. look how awful our situation is right now, where our children are burnt like this and we are homeless from the houses. may god punish those that displace people from their homes. >> reporter: saudi officers deny accusations they target the civilians, blaming the houthis for moving weapons to civilian areas. the coalition called on army officers loyal to the houthis, loyal to ali abdullah saleh, calling on them to defect. >> translation: we are targetting the houthis. our message to the military commanders, you have to join and aban

hashem ahelbarra is our reporter. >> reporter: the saudi-led coalition ups the air strikes in aden. they strike bridges and main roads leading to the seaport city. the aim, according to saudi army officers is to yest houthi fight -- prevent houthi fighters sending reinforcement. radar systems, checkpoints have also been hit. >> translation: the houthis target buildings and people and managed to move to certain areas to take cover from air strikes. we are working in coordination with the tribesman and committees. >> reporter: but violence in aden shows no signs of slowing. [ gunfire ] [ explosion ] >> reporter: after days of fighting and running battles, many parts of the city have been destroyed. homes, shops, vehicles lie in ruins. civilians a being killed. houthi rebels along with fighters loyal to ali abdullah saleh, the former president, are infiltrateing near the city. these are fighters loyal to the president abd-rabbu mansour hadi, and they are putting up a fierce fight. they received weapons from the saudi coalition, but remany out outgunned by their rivals. aden is a battle

hashem ahelbarra, al jazeera. >>> for more on this story let's speak to the editor of the middle eastye, a website that focuses on middle east news and analysis. the way the succession went before in saudi arabia is it went from brother to brother. how significant is this recent reshuffle? are we seeing now the new generation coming into power? >> absolutely. what we're seeing is -- is -- is a generational shift, a complete -- almost complete clearout of all of the people that the predecessor king abdullah put in power. there is still the prince as the minister in charge of the national guard. there are informed rumors that the national guard could itself be subsumed once again into the defense ministry which of course is held by salmon's son. all of the others are out including the foreign minister who stayed as the world's longest foreign minister. >> yeah and it's also the second time in the kingdom's history they are given the foreign ministers post to a non-royal. what does that say? >> well in this particular case it suggests that he wants to keep his contacts with the u.s. admi

hashem ahelbarra has this report. >> reporter: these are from the international committee of red cross arriving in the southern yemeni city of aiden. the doctors arrived by boat after the trip was approved by the saudi-led coalition. >> it's a mandate of the icfc to make care of the victims of war. for us as a surgical team we have the skills and expertise to treat the special type of trauma caused by high-speed bullets and bombs. >> reporter: the conflict in yemen made life difficult for millions of people. no clean water, electricity is cut most of the time and people have to queue for days to fill the cars. we have been witting for four days in this queue for gas. today is the fifth day. we are hopeful. due to the air strike the gas tanks were not able to arrive. we are waiting. we borrowed money for gas, that's because those targetting yemen and the yemeni peep. >> reporter: there's discontent across the country. dozens of angry soldiers besieged the central bank of the tiaz saying they have not received salaries since september when the houthis took over the capital sanaa. in aden

hashem a ahelbarra has the story. >> the houthis are now disorganized, they are trying to redeploy in aden and other areas but their convoys were soon targeted by coalition forces. >> there is no indication that the military operation may come to an end any time soon. for saudi arabia, was the only way to control yemen. >> i will not describe the military operations in yemen as a proxy war, it is a war of necessity. we had no choice but to respond to the legitimate government in order to prevent the takeover of yemen by a radical group in concert with iran and al qaeda. there is no reason for iran to be involved in yemen. >> houthi troops loyal to former president sealz sally still hold groundali abdullah salehstill hold ground in many provinces. for the time being the saudis have no plans for a full scale ground invasion. forces loyal to yemen's president abd rabbu mansour hadi are gaining some ground in areas of the south. here on the western entrance into aden vehicle speedway carrying people escaping the fighting ambulances head towards the fighting but can't get far. >> there are