Violent clashes rock Hodeida despite UN-brokered ceasefire

22 Al Houthis and 7 others killed overnight; 7 militiamen captured near port city

Air strikes and fierce clashes shook the outskirts of Yemen’s militia-held port city of Hodeida overnight, progovernment sources and residents said yesterday, despite a UN-brokered ceasefire.

At least 29 fighters, including 22 Al Houthi militiamen, were killed on Saturday night in clashes and air strikes in Hodeida province, a pro-government military source said.

He added that seven militiamen were captured during an attack on Al Durayhimi district, which lies about 20km south of Hodeida city.

A resident of the city reached by telephone said that the clashes were “fierce” and the sounds of jets could be heard throughout the night until about 5am yesterday.

The fighting comes days after a UN-backed ceasefire came into effect, part of a hard-won accord agreed in Sweden between Yemen’s warring sides.

UN chief Antonio Guterres warned yesterday that “much worse” lay in store for Yemen in 2019 unless its warring parties strike a peace deal and head off a humanitarian crisis.

The truce between Yemeni

A resident of the city reached by telephone said that the clashes were ‘fierce’ and the sounds of jets could be heard throughout the night until about 5am yesterday.

government forces, backed by a Saudi-led military coalition, and the Al Houthi rebels was due to be followed by the withdrawal within days of fighters on both sides.

In comments published on Saturday on the militia-run Saba news agency, Al Houthis accused pro-government forces of shelling residential neighbourhoods in Hodeida city.

Thursday’s ceasefire accord has been seen as the most significant step towards ending the devastating conflict in Yemen, where more than 14 million people are on the brink of famine. A prisoner swap involving some 15,000 detainees is planned and a “mutual understanding” has been struck to facilitate aid deliveries to Yemen’s third city Taiz - under control of government forces but besieged by rebels.

The two sides also agreed to meet again in late January.