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Yemen rebel chief vows to ‘never surrender’
SANAA, Nov 7, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Yemen’s rebel chief vowed Wednesday never to
surrender to Saudi-backed pro-government forces, but appeared to acknowledge
his forces had lost ground in a battle for the port city of Hodeida.
“Does the enemy think that penetrating this or that area, or seizing this
or that area, means we will be convinced that we should surrender and hand
over control?” Abdulmalik al-Huthi said in a televised address.
“This is not happening and will not happen ever.”
Yemen’s military said government forces had advanced closer to the heart of
Hodeida Wednesday, raising fears over civilian safety and humanitarian aid
deliveries through the lifeline port city.
The Huthi rebels, northern tribesmen linked to Iran, on Wednesday
acknowledged incursions by the Saudi-led coalition and accused pro-government
forces of provoking an escalation in violence.
“The enemy benefits from its numbers, which it has increased even further
to pressure the city of Hodeida,” the Huthi chief said.
Nearly 200 combatants have been killed over the past week in the fight for
Hodeida, which the rebels seized along with the capital in 2014.
International aid groups on Wednesday appealed for safe passage for
civilians as the clashes approach hospitals in the city.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 2025 hrs