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Pro-govt forces halt Yemen port offensive as UAE backs talks
[DAWN] Forces loyal to Yemen’s government on Wednesday halted an offensive on the lifeline port of Hodeida as the United Arab Emirates, a key member of the pro-government coalition, threw its weight behind "early" UN peace talks.Three military officials told AFP that pro-government forces were "ordered" to stop their assault against the Iran-linked Houthi ...a Zaidi Shia insurgent group operating in Yemen. They have also been referred to as the Believing Youth. Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi is said to be the spiritual leader of the group and most of the military leaders are his relatives. The Yemeni government has accused the Houthis of having ties to the Iranian government, which wouldn't suprise most of us. The group has managed to gain control over all of Saada Governorate and parts of Amran, Al Jawf and Hajjah Governorates. Its slogan is God is Great, Death to America™, Death to Israel, a curse on the Jews... rebels until further notice, but would resume operations should the bully boyz attack. The UAE state minister for foreign affairs, Anwar Gargash, said meanwhile his country welcomed the "early convening of UN-led talks in Sweden" and urged warring factions to take advantage of diplomatic efforts. The UN is pushing for peace talks by the end of the year, and Sweden said it is ready to host them. The developments came after the offensive on Hodeida by pro-government forces and the Saudi-led coalition, including the UAE, appeared to stall. After 12 days of festivities, Hodeida was "quiet" and its port was "operating", Gargash tweeted. "We are working closely with the UN on expanding humanitarian assistance for all areas of Yemen," he added. On the ground in Hodeida, a relative calm was holding for a second full day, and despite the thundering sound of jets flying overhead, no major fighting was reported. Speaking to AFP earlier, a military official said pro-government forces had temporarily stopped their advance into the port to allow safe passage for civilians, humanitarian staff and maimed. One military official said however that the pro-government forces would be launching major operations "in the coming days". "The battles will not stop, except with the liberation of Hodeida and the whole west coast," he said. Posted by: Fred 2018-11-16 |
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