Fighting eases in war-ravaged Hodeida after informal truce

UN reports ‘significant reduction in hostilities’, but clashes continue in Bayda, Sa’ada and Hajja

Yemeni officials said fighting has eased in the war-ravaged country, especially in the key port city of Hodeida after an informal agreement to reduce hostilities.

The deal was declared on Monday although smaller clashes have continued elsewhere.

Soldiers and eyewitnesses say fighting on the ground between Saudi-led coalition forces and Al Houthi militia largely halted in Hodeida yesterday, but continued in Bayda, Sa’ada and Hajja provinces.

A UN official said there’s no official, hoped-for ceasefire but that there’s been “a significant reduction in hostilities”. The government announced a “pause” in the fighting for the day.

All the officials spoke anonymously while witnesses did so for fear of their safety.

The UAE, a key partner in the Saudi-led alliance fighting the Iran-allied militants in Yemen, is backing a new round of UNsponsored talks for Yemen’s peace planned in Sweden later this month, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Gargash said. “We welcome early convening of UN-led talks in Sweden. At UNSC meeting today, Coalition will urge all parties to take advantage of window of opportunity to restart political process,” Dr Gargash said in a series of tweets. “We look forward to hosting Martin Griffiths this week in Abu Dhabi,” he said referring to the UN envoy for Yemen.

Reacting to the temporary suspension of fighting in Hodeida, Dr Gargash tweeted: “Hodeida quiet and port operating. We are working closely with the UN on expanding humanitarian assistance for all areas of Yemen. Important work to address people’s needs.”

Earlier this month, government forces, supported by the coalition’s air power, started a major operation to liberate Hodeida and its vital port from Al Houthi militia. The forces have since made swift advances inside the city in western Yemen.

The Red Sea city has been under Al Houthis’ control since late 2014 when the Iran-aligned forces deposed the internationally recognised government and overran the capital Sana’a.

The Yemeni government insists on liberating Hodeida and its port through which most of the country’s humanitarian aid and imports are handled.

AFP Yemeni pro-government forces on the eastern outskirts of Hodeida as they battled to take control of the city from Al Houthis on Wednesday, before the fighting in the port city eased.