HOUTHIS KIDNAP DAUGHTER OF SALEH BODYGUARD

▶ But coalition says ports will stay open despite missile aimed at Riyadh

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have kidnapped the 18-year-old daughter of a bodyguard who worked for murdered former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, an action considered hugely shameful within the country’s tribal traditions.

A source in the rebel-held capital said yesterday that tribal leaders were trying to mediate with the Houthis for her release.

The kidnapping is part of a crackdown by the rebels against Saleh’s supporters after the collapse of a three-year alliance between the two sides, which resulted in the Houthis killing him this month.

Meanwhile, the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen said yesterday that it would keep the country’s main Hodeidah port open for a month despite a Houthi ballistic missile attack a day before that targeted the royal palace in Riyadh.

The coalition, which is fighting the Houthi rebels on behalf of the internationally recognised Yemeni government, controls the country’s airspace and access to its ports.

Last month, it responded to another missile launch by the Iran-backed Houthis targeting Riyadh by blocking all entry to Yemen. It has since relaxed these restrictions.

Both missile launches in the past two months were intercepted, the Saudi authorities say. No casualties were reported in either attack.

Shortly after Tuesday’s attack, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Co-operation, tweeted: “Riyadh is safe in God’s grace, but you who follows Satan, who will protect you?”

The coalition said Hodeidah would remain open for humanitarian and relief supplies, citing “intensified inspection measures” and saying it was “keen to maintain humanitarian aid to the brotherly Yemeni people”.

Riyadh said ships carrying fuel and food supplies would be allowed to enter for another 30 days while proposals made by the UN envoy to Yemen were implemented.

The agency did not elaborate on the proposals but the coalition had been demanding that a UN inspection regime agreed in 2015 be tightened to prevent weapons from reaching the Houthis.

Support from Iran after the failure of international organisations to monitor rebel-controlled Sanaa and other parts of the country has bolstered Houthi efforts in the war.

The coalition had accused Iran of sending the missile that

The 18-year-old girl’s abduction is shameful under Yemen’s traditions, and tribal leaders are negotiating for her release

was fired towards Riyadh in November, and the US last week displayed what it said was evidence that the rocket had been provided by Tehran to the rebels in Yemen.

The closure of Yemen’s ports and airports last month caused food and fuel shortages in a country reeling from more than three years of war.

More than 10,000 people have died, more than two million have been displaced and insanitary conditions have led to a cholera epidemic.

The president of Yemen, Abdrabu Mansur Hadi, received the secretary general of the GCC, Dr Abdullatif Al Zayani, on Tuesday.

The meeting took place as countries of the GCC, the Arab world and international organisations condemned the aggression against Riyadh.

During the meeting, the two leaders discussed the latest developments in Yemen, as well as political, security and humanitarian developments and issues of mutual interest.