Yemen: the UN intensifies its patrols in the ports of Hodeida
The UN announced on Tuesday that it has stepped up its patrols in the ports of Hodeida in western Yemen, currently under Houthi control, to preserve their civilian character.
This is reflected in a statement issued by the United Nations Mission in Support of the Hodeida Agreement (MINUAAH).
According to the communiqué, the head of MINUAAH, Major General Michael Beary, concluded a week-long visit to New York, where he presented his first report to the Security Council.
“During her visit to New York, Beary met with representatives of the permanent members of the Security Council, as well as those of India, Ireland, the United Arab Emirates and Norway”, the statement added.
He also met with the Permanent Representative of Yemen to the United Nations, Abdullah Ali Fadhel Al-Saadi, to whom he informed about the activities of MINUAAH and stressed the importance of working with other parties to address the challenges, according to the same source.
In the same context, the statement reported, quoting the head of MINUAAH, that “the mission is working to expand its surveillance zone to reach unstable areas in the southern districts of Hodeida governorate”.
The Arab Coalition and the Yemeni government have previously accused the Houthi group of exploiting the ports of Hodeida for military purposes, which the rebels have denied.
Yemen has been beset by violence and instability since 2014, when Iran’s proxy, the Houthis, took control of most of the country, including the capital, Sanaa.
A Saudi-led coalition went to war in early 2015 to return Yemen’s government to power.
The conflict, which has lasted for eight years, has created one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
