New proof links militia to Hodeida raids
YEMENI GOVERNMENT WARNS FISHERMEN AGAINST COMING CLOSE TO SHIPS OPERATED BY ARAB COALITION
Hadi government warns fishermen against coming close to ships operated by Arab coalition |
TThe Arab coalition in Yemen yesterday released new technical evidence confirming Al Houthi militia’s involvement in the August 2 attack on the Al Thawra Hospital and the fish market in Hodeida. Satellite images confirm that the damage to the hospital and market was the result of mortar strikes carried out by Al Houthis.
A coalition source said the evidence was collected as part of its investigation into the explosions.
“Contrary to initial media reports and Al Houthi claims that attributed responsibility to coalition air strikes, the available evidence clearly shows the damage resulted from mortar shells fired from an area close to the impact sites,” he said.
“The attack targeted one of the city’s main hospitals on the same day as the planned launch of a cholera vaccination drive, and as the UN Special Envoy briefed the Security Council in New York.
“The coalition will continue to collect and share additional evidence as the investigation continues.”
Colonel Turki Al Maliki, spokesman for the coalition, on Saturday accused Al Houthi militias of carrying out mortar attacks, while confirming that the coalition did not carry out any operations in the vicinity of the area affected.
Oil shipments
Meanwhile, the Yemeni government has warned fishermen against coming close to ships of the Saudi-led Arab coalition fighting Iran-allied Al Houthis in the country. The warning comes amid growing threats by Al Houthi militants to international navigation.
Last month, Al Houthis attacked two Saudi oil tankers off Yemen’s West Coast, prompting the kingdom to halt crude shipments through the Red Sea and Bab Al Mandab Strait, a suspension that was reversed on Saturday.
The Yemeni government said in a statement, carried by the official news agency Saba, that Al Houthis used a fishing boat as camouflage in attacking commercial vessels.
“Presence of fishing boats in operation zones of the coalition vessels is exploited by Al Houthis in threatening sea navigation in the south part of the Red Sea and Bab Al Mandab,” the statement said.
It instructed the ministries of the interior and fisheries to take the necessary measures to enforce the warning and make the fishermen aware of areas where they can operate safely in territorial waters.
In September 2014, Al Houthis overran the Yemeni capital Sana’a in a coup against the internationally recognised government.
In March 2015, the Saudi-led coalition initiated a campaign in Yemen against Al Houthis after the militiamen advanced on the southern city of Aden, the temporary capital of the country after their takeover of Sana’a.
In June this year, Yemeni government forces, supported by the Arab coalition, unleashed a major offensive to expel Al Houthis from the Red Sea city of Hodeida and its crucial port.
The forces have since made territorial gains against the Iranallied extremists.