Gargash: Ultimatum to UN has ended

A senior UAE official said an ultimatum for the United Nations to convince the Iran-aligned Al Houthi movement to evacuate Yemen’s main port of Hodeida expired last night.

‘We gave UN special envoy Martin Griffiths 48 hours to convince the Al Houthis to withdraw from the port and city of Hodeida,’ UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash told France’s Le

Figaro newspaper.

‘If the Al Houthis don’t get out of Hodeida city and the port, the UAE will start a military operation against the rebels in Hodeida,’ Gargash was quoted as saying by the French daily.

The United Nations said it was engaged in ‘intense’ shuttle diplomacy between the Al Houthis and coalition leaders Saudi Arabia and the UAE to avert an all-out attack.

Meanwhile, the minister tweeted, ‘The UAE and the Arab Coalition will continue to accelerate the flow of humanitarian aid to all Yemenis. Our age old commitment & support to Yemen will continue’.

‘The international community must pressure the Houthis to evacuate Hodeida & leave the port intact. Their use of land & sea mines shows a cruel & callous disregard for Yemeni lives.

‘The Houthis cannot hold Hodeida hostage to finance their war & divert the flow of humanitarian aid. Their assault on the Yemeni people has continued for too long.

‘The current & illegal Houthi occupation of Hodeida is prolonging the Yemeni war. The liberation of the city & port will create a new reality & bring the Houthis to the negotiations,’ the minister tweeted.