A newly-recruited Houthi fighter looks through the scope of a sniper rifle while taking part in a gathering in the capital Sanaa, to mobilize more fighters to battlefronts in the war against pro-government forces in several Yemeni cities, on July 16, 2017. (AFP Photo)

SANAA, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Yemeni security officials said Tuesday that an airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition has killed at least 11 civilians.

The civilians were apparently trying to escape fighting in western Yemen on Tuesday when their vehicle was struck.

The officials said the wounded include women and children in critical condition, with the death toll expected to rise.

The coalition has been waging an air war against the Houthis since March 2015, and shut down Sanaa's international airport a year ago.