Houthis blocked aid convoy from leaving Hodeidah for Sanaa

Houthis blocked aid convoy from leaving Hodeidah for Sanaa
The Iranian-allied Houthi militia prevented an aid convoy that was headed for Sanaa from leaving Hodeidah. (File/AFP)
Updated 15 May 2019
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Houthis blocked aid convoy from leaving Hodeidah for Sanaa

Houthis blocked aid convoy from leaving Hodeidah for Sanaa
  • The Houthis broke their agreement with the head of the Redeployment Coordination Committee
  • Arab coalition spokesman said the convoy belonged to a United Nations agency and was carrying 32 tons of flour

The Iranian-allied Houthi militia on Saturday prevented an aid convoy that was headed for Sanaa from leaving Hodeidah, Yemen’s state news agency reported.

The Houthis broke their agreement with the head of the Redeployment Coordination Committee, retired Dutch general Patrick Cammaert, to allow a relief convoy for Sanaa to leave the port of Hodeidah, a government source told Saba news agency.

The source claimed that when asked by general Cammaert’s team why the convoy did not run at the agreed date, the Houthis denied agreeing to it.

Saudi-led Arab coalition spokesman Col. Turki Al-Maliki said the convoy belonged to a United Nations agency and was carrying 32 tons of flour.

The coalition had issued the necessary permits to allow the convoy entry into government-controlled areas of Hodeidah, Al-Maliki said, describing the militias’ action as a “deliberate obstruction of relief and humanitarian work.”