UAE pauses Hodeida action

abu dhabi — The UAE on Sunday announced it had halted the offensive it is backing against Houthi rebels in Yemen’s port city of Hodeida to give a chance to UN diplomatic efforts.

In a series of tweets, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr Anwar Gargash said the pause was aimed at pursuing negotiations for an unconditional rebel withdrawal from the port but warned that full military action could resume.

The weeks-long offensive on Hodeida — Yemen’s main port — has raised fears of further suffering and deprivation in a country already deeply shaken by years of war between the Iran-backed

The operation has succeeded in forcing the Houthis to make concessions Dr Anwar Gargash, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs

Houthis and President Abd-Rabbo Mansour Hadi’s Gulf-backed government.

Pointing to a renewed push for a negotiated settlement by UN envoy Martin Griffiths, Dr Gargash said: “We have paused our campaign to allow enough time for this option to be fully explored. We hope he will succeed.”

He said the pause had been in effect since June 23 and while there was continued “pressure on the parameter”, pro-government forces were awaiting the results of an upcoming visit by Griffiths to the rebel-held capital Sanaa.

Griffiths met Hadi in the southern city of Aden on Wednesday and is reported to be pushing for the Houthis to cede control of Hodeida to the United Nations.

Hadi demanded a full rebel withdrawal from the city, which has been the target of a weekslong military offensive by the Yemeni government and its regional allies, led by the UAE on the ground. —