Operation to take Hodeidah essential for Yemenis, security of Red Sea waterway: Saudi Ambassador in DC

File photo showing Saudi Arabian ambassador to the United States Prince Khalid bin Salman arrives on Capitol Hill in Washington, US, July 24, 2017. (Reuters)

LONDON: Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdul Aziz, the saudi ambassador to Washington said in a tweet on his Twitter account that “the coalition operations to liberate the city of Hodeidah are a continuation of the support delivered by the Saudi-led Arab coalition for Yemeni people, and a way to support the freedom of Yemenis against the militia supported by Iran bent on sowing chaos and destruction in the country.

Yemeni forces on Wednesday got closer to Hodeidah after taking control of the suburb of Nekheila south of the town and port of Hodeidah as part of a new operation called ‘Golden victory’ aimed to liberate Hodeidah and its port.

The Saudi Ambassador to Washington added in a separate tweet that the saudi-led Arab coalition operations to re-take Hodeidah are important in light of the increased threat the militias controling the port of Hodeidah have been posing for maritime security in the Red Sea,
which the ambassador added is a vital waterway through which 15% of world trade pass annually as well as regional trade and commerce.

Prince Khaled added that Iran backed Houthi militia have launched repeated attacks on commercial and military ships belonging to Saudi Arabia, the UAE and the US