-
-
- Live
UAE announces pause in offensive on Hodeidah amid Houthi withdrawal talks
1 min
read
The United Arab Emirates on Sunday announced a pause in the offensive it is backing against Houthi rebels in Yemen’s port city of Hodeidah, to give a chance to UN peace efforts.
“We welcome continuing efforts by UN Special Envoy, Martin Griffiths, to achieve an unconditional Houthi withdrawal from Hodeidah city and port,” UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said on Twitter.
To clarify the Coalition has paused the advance on the city & port on June 23 for a week to allow the UN envoy to secure an unconditional withdrawal from Hodeida. We continue our pressure on the parameter & await results of the Envoy’s visit to Sana.
— د. أنور قرقاش (@AnwarGargash) July 1, 2018
“We have paused our campaign to allow enough time for this option to be fully explored. We hope he will succeed.”
Gargash added on Twitter that the Arab Coalition’s success in regaining control of Hodeidah Airport and forcing the Houthi militias to “make concessions” serves as a “sufficient basis” for Houthi withdrawal.
According to Gargash, the international community has “not pressed the Houthis hard enough” for violating numerous international human laws, planting lands and sea mines, placing snipers and weapons in civilian areas, obstructing delivery of humanitarian aid, and forcibly drafting civilians.
However, continued military pressure is expected to liberate Hodeidah and force the Houthis to engage in serious negotiations, said Gargash.
We welcome continuing efforts by UN Special Envoy, Martin Griffiths, to achieve an unconditional Houthi withdrawal from Hodeida city and port. We have paused our campaign to allow enough time for this option to be fully explored. We hope he will succeed.
— د. أنور قرقاش (@AnwarGargash) July 1, 2018
Coalition’s operation to liberate Hodeida, in context of broader support for GoY & UNSC 2216, calibrated to minimise civilian casualties & maximising pressure on Houthis. It has succeeded in liberating the airport and forcing the Houthis to make concessions.
— د. أنور قرقاش (@AnwarGargash) July 1, 2018
It remains to be seen, however, whether the Houthis are engaging seriously with this process or using it as a tactic to buy time. They have declared that they intend to recapture the whole of Yemen, in defiance of the United Nations.
— د. أنور قرقاش (@AnwarGargash) July 1, 2018
Houthis continue to violate IHL, planting land & sea mines, placing snipers & weapons in civilian areas, forcibly conscripting civilians – including 15,000 children & obstructing delivery of humanitarian aid.
— د. أنور قرقاش (@AnwarGargash) July 1, 2018
The international community has not pressed the Houthis hard enough on these violations. We continue to hope that it will do so, and that the action that we have already taken will provide a sufficient basis for a Houthi unconditional withdrawal from the city and port.
— د. أنور قرقاش (@AnwarGargash) July 1, 2018
Failing these patient efforts we believe that continued military pressure will ultimately bring the liberation of Hodeida & force the Houthis to engage seriously in negotiations.
— د. أنور قرقاش (@AnwarGargash) July 1, 2018
Also Read
-
Battle for Hodeidah – the beginning of the end
The battle of Hodeidah is fierce and its results are crucial in managing the war ...
Middle East Opinion -
Third Iranian drone shot down by resistance forces in Yemen’s Hodeidah
Joint Yemeni resistance forces took down the third Iran-made Houthi drone on ...
Gulf
-
Arab coalition allows four ships into Yemen’s Hodeidah port
The Arab coalition backing the Yemeni legitimate government, announced that it ...
Gulf
