<div>In Yemen, 39 combatants were killed in heavy clashes outside rebel-held port city of Hodeida today, as a Saudi and UAE-backed offensive to retake the key aid hub entered its second day. </div>''<div><br />''</div>''<div>Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels suffered 30 fatalities in the fighting, which took place two km from Hodeida airport. Medical sources said nine pro-government troops were killed in the same area. </div>''<div><br />''</div>''<div>Military sources said, the deaths were caused by mines and snipers. Saudi-led coalition warplanes and Apache helicopters provided continuous air support to pro-government forces, striking Huthi positions.</div>