How Al Houthis exploited international aid through their access to Hodeida port
Militia usurped aid and used the Hodeida port to import Iranian arms
Since the onset of its military operations in Yemen, the Saudi-led Arab coalition has provided crucial humanitarian support to the people there.
The UAE and Saudi Arabia have worked with several global organisations to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the largest possible numbers of Yemenis — even those who live under Al Houthi-occupation.
“The Yemeni people’s appreciation of the UAE and Saudi aid campaigns and operations are a testimony to the sincerity of efforts made by the two countries, not to mention the global acclaim of the significant humanitarian role they are tirelessly playing in the country,” said Abdul Raqeeb Fatah, Yemeni Minister of Local Administration, and Chairman of the Supreme Relief Committee.
Al Houthis have shown complete disregard for international conventions and continue to dodge UN laws to smuggle in weapons into the occupied Yemeni areas, plundering state banks and departments and imposing taxes on the people to fund their atrocities, he explained.
“The recruitment of children and using them as human shields in their operations speak volumes about their crimes against humanity at large,” he said.
“Al Houthis have used international aid to support their subversive agendas, turning Yemeni ports under their control, particularly Hodeida, into weapons depots,” Fatah said.
He accused Al Houthis of using the port to illicitly arm their militias with Iranian missiles and weapons to target Saudi cities and attack shipping lines in the Arabian Sea.
For its part, the UAE has been carrying out a comprehensive plan in support of all Yemeni territories, including those under the control of Al Houthis, sparing no effort to deliver aid to Yemen’s populace wherever they live in the country.
These tremendous humanitarian efforts have been acclaimed by United Nations agencies and organsiations on many occasions, with top UN officials reaffirming that the UAE is among the top humanitarian and developmental aid providers in Yemen.
In addition, the UAE, in no uncertain terms, has explicitly demonstrated full support for UN missions and roles in Yemen and its unflinching readiness to cooperate and extend a helping hand.