Sanaa, June 24 (IANS): The Saudi-led Arab coalition launched air strikes on targets controlled by the Houthi group across several provinces of Yemen, an official said on Wednesday.

At least 10 Houthi fighters were killed in the air strike when they gathered after seizing the government complex in Mukairas district, by firing missiles toward Saudi military sites, Xinhua reported.

The Saudi-led air strikes hit the runway of civilian and military airports of al-Hodayda city in western Yemen and hit the headquarters of Brigade 25 Mika in northwestern province of Hajja, which was under control of Ali Abdullah Saleh's forces in Abbs district near the border with Saudi Arabia.

In provinces of Aden, Taiz, Lahj and Marib, Houthi-controlled military camps were also targeted, according to local officials.

Battles between Houthis and local tribal resistance continued on the ground on Wednesday in provinces of Aden, al-Dhalee and Taiz.

The warring factions used machine guns and mortar shells to attack each other, causing damage to civilian houses. Medical sources said dozens of people were wounded in the battles.

Following the collapse of Geneva talks, the UN appealed for US $1.6 billion to help more than 21 million Yemenis in need of aid, warning of a "looming catastrophe" in the war-torn country.