By ahmed al-haj, associated press

Independent security officials say a Saudi-led coalition airstrike hit a hotel housing Shiite Houthi rebels in Yemen's capital Sanaa, killing at least 25 people.

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to reporters, say at least 45 others were injured in the strike at the Sama Hotel in eastern Sanaa.

The Saudi-led coalition has been launching airstrikes aimed at pushing back the Houthis since March. Coalition planes launched dozens of strikes Tuesday aiming at Houthi positions, focusing on the provinces of Taiz and Marib, where ground fighting continues.

Yemen has been torn by a ferocious war pitting the Houthis and forces fighting for former President Ali Abdullah Saleh against government loyalists, as well as southern separatists, local militias and Sunni extremists.