al-saqqaf's special security forces stormed the airport early in the morning of 19 march, claiming they were fired upon from surrounding buildings. army and militia units loyal to hadi responded, eventually repulsing the assault. some 100 passengers on a yemenia flight to cairo were evacuated from their plane on the airport tarmac due to the fighting. at least two shells exploded at the airport, killing at least four and injuring more than a dozen. three soldiers loyal to saleh were reported dead in the attack and 10 more were captured. a boeing 747 passenger jet used as one of hadi's presidential aircraft was damaged by gunfire. the fighting lasted about four hours and was eventually joined by al-subaihi and his forces, who evacuated the airport terminal under heavy fire.