LONDON: Saudi-led Arab coaltion said Monday that the UN special envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths, is trying to persuade Iran-backed Houthi militia to hand over Hodeidah port without fighting. In a press conference in Riyadh, the spokesperson of the Saudi-led Arab coalition, Col. Turki Al-Maliki, said that “it is the right of the legitimate government of Yemen to try to take back control of Hodeidah according to UN resolution 2216.” Al-Maliki added that capturing Hodeidah port will stop Houthi weapons and ammunition smuggling into Yemen. He added that despite the fighting the coaltion continues to facilitate humanitarian shipment through Hodeidah airport. The Saudi-led Arab coalition added that Houthi militia has received heavy blows in Saada and Hodeidah and that coalition air force have pounded Monday the southeastern parts of Hodeidah airport. Col. Turki Al- Al-Maliki added that coalition forces are about to gain full control of Hodeidah airport.