Teams need time to remove mines planted by Houthis around ports

A team of UN deminers began clearing on Monday landmines planted by Houthis around three Red Sea ports as the rebel withdrawal from Hodeidah continues, according to a spokesman for pro-government forces.

“A UN team has already started clearing and dismantling a huge number of landmines and explosives,” Col Wathah Al Dubaish told The National.

“The operation will need more than two days to be finished due to the large number of mines.”

The UN is overseeing the Houthi withdrawal from the three ports, through which 80 per cent of Yemen’s aid is delivered.

The rebels’ withdrawal is a vital part of the Stockholm agreement, reached between Yemen’s government and the Houthis, which aims to bring an end to a four-year conflict that has brought the country to the brink of famine.

The head of the UN body overseeing the withdrawal, Lt Gen Michael Lollesgaard, on Monday said: “All three ports were monitored simultaneously by UN teams as the military forces left the ports and the coastguard took over responsibility for security.”

After the mine-clearing is completed, government monitors will be allowed to visit the ports to verify the withdrawal process.

Houthi rebels planted about 3,500 mines and improvised explosive devices in Hodeidah port, Col Al Dubaish said, and an estimated 6,000 in Al Saleef and Ras Isa, the two other ports involved in the agreement.

Despite the ongoing withdrawal from Hodeidah, fighting has continued elsewhere in Yemen.

Houthi rebels reportedly shelled the village of Al Wabeh, near the town of Qatabah in Al Dhalea province, north of Aden, on Monday.

“The Houthis fired Katyusha rockets on our village,” local journalist Akram Al Kudai told The National.

“More than five casualties were taken to Al Naser hospital in the city centre to be treated.”

About 3,500 mines and improvised explosive devices were planted in Hodeidah port and 6,000 in two other ports