HODEIDA, Aug. 5 – Fierce confrontations broke out Thursday after an argument between employers of the Aviation Public General Authority (APGA) and soldiers of the Air Forces at Hodeida International Airport regarding land linked to the airport.

Four employers were wounded after soldiers shot at them.

Ali Al-Twaity, deputy director of Hodeida International Airport, said Hamid Faraj, head of the APGA, was informed to take the needed actions. He was also informed that Defense Minister Mohamed Nasser Ahmed will pay a visit in order to help solve the matter.

Ali Ibrahim, chief of Al-Hawak district, in which the lands of the airport are located, said, “Soldiers affiliated with the Air Forces are still launching attacks on the airport lands in order to have possession over them.”

“They attacked the airport campus a month ago and we complained to the president, but no solutions are given so far,” he said.

Nasser Al-Awadhi, an airport employee and an eyewitness, said, “The soldiers fought with airport employers, who live near the airport, and shot at them. One was shot and injured.”

“Two flights to Ethiopia and Jeddah stopped in Aden and didn’t reach Hodeida airport because of the confrontations,” he added.