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UN aid chief calls for ceasefire around Yemen’s Hodeida port
UNITED NATIONS, United States, Nov 13, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – The United
Nations’ aid chief called Tuesday for a ceasefire around Yemen’s city of
Hodeida, where pro-government forces are battling Huthi rebels for control of
the Red Sea port.
The appeal came as Western powers stepped up pressure on the Saudi-led
coalition to agree to talks with the Iran-backed Huthi rebels on ending the
war.
“I ask that the parties implement a cessation of hostilities, not least in
and around all the infrastructure and facilities on which the aid operation
and commercial importers rely,” said Mark Lowcock, the under-secretary-
general for humanitarian affairs, in a statement.
Lowcock said the United Nations was ready to play a role in “ensuring the
appropriate use of key facilities, especially around Hodeida” — a key entry
point for humanitarian aid and vital supplies to Yemen.
Clashes between Saudi-backed troops and rebels in Hodeida have raged for
nearly two weeks, leaving nearly 600 people dead and prompting warnings from
the United Nations of catastrophic devastation if fighting escalates.
Lowcock has warned that Yemen, which the United Nations ranks as the
world’s worst humanitarian crisis, is moving closer toward the world’s worst
famine in decades.
The Saudi-led coalition has been waging a war in Yemen since March 2015 to
push back the Iran-backed Huthis, but the rebels still hold Hodeida and the
capital Sanaa.
The coalition intervened to restore to power Yemeni President Abedrabbo
Mansour Hadi, whose government is recognized by the United Nations.
The United States, a key Saudi ally, has called for a ceasefire and talks
on ending the war while Britain has said it is preparing a Security Council
draft resolution that would pave the way to peace talks.
Hodeida was hit on Monday night by what multiple sources said were two air
strikes — the first targeting of the docks since government forces launched
an offensive to retake the port five months ago.
The port’s deputy director, Yahya Sharafeddine, said the main entrance to
the docks had been “the target of air raids” but was fully functioning. Three
security guards were wounded in the attack, he said.
BSS/AFP/MRI/2350 hrs