UN envoy to press for Yemen talks in Riyadh

The United Nations’ Yemen envoy was in Riyadh yesterday to push efforts to convene December peace talks between Al Houthi militants and the Saudi-backed government.

Martin Griffiths’ visit comes as fighting eased around the militant-held port city of Hodeida, a vital lifeline for imports and aid which has been the target of a fierce Saudi-backed government offensive.

Under heavy international pressure, the Yemeni government and a Saudiled military coalition have largely suspended a fivemonth offensive against the Red Sea city.

Fighting had intensified in early November as coalition-backed loyalist forces attempted to enter Hodeida, but calm returned after Griffiths arrived in Yemen on Wednesday.

He held talks with Yemen’s internationally-recognised government in Riyadh yesterday.

While the loyalist advance on Hodeida has largely stalled, minor clashes have continued.

Military officials quoted by the state-run Saba news agency on Sunday evening said the loyalists foiled an Al Houthi “infiltration attempt” into a camp in Hays province, about 100 kilometres south of Hodeida.