The head of the UN observer mission in Yemen, Patrick Cammaert, expressed disappointment at the developments surrounding the embattled port of Hudaida. Contrary to the agreements, a humanitarian corridor has not been set up from the port city to the capital Sana’a, the UN said yesterday. In a meeting with representatives of the Houthi rebels, Cammaert expressed his displeasure at this elusive opportunity to build trust.
The Iranian-backed Houthis had previously announced that they had handed over control of the Hudaida ports, which are important for supplying Yemen, to the Coast Guard. In addition, Houthi fighters had begun with the withdrawal from the city. However, the internationally recognized government of Yemen denied the withdrawal and criticized the transfer to the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard of Hudaida is said to be associated with the Houthi rebels.
„This move reduces peace opportunities and clearly demonstrates the intentions of the militias and their attempt to undermine the UN agreement,“ government official Askar Sail told Saba state news agency.
In Sweden, the parties to the conflict had negotiated a ceasefire for the contested important Hudaida port through United Nations mediation. Almost 80 percent of the relief supplies for the poor Yemen run through the ports in the city on the Red Sea. The United Nations describes the war in Yemen as the worst humanitarian disaster worldwide.
