Yemeni government troops, Houthis clash near Hodeidah

AP
Yemenis who fled fighting between government forces and Iran-linked Shiite Houthi fighters in Hodeida fill water jerricans at a camp for displaced people in the northern district of Yemen's Hajjah province on January 16, 2019. Heavy fighting was reported around Hodeidah again on Jan. 24, 2019. (AFP)
  • Thursday’s fighting was the biggest breach yet of a fragile cease-fire reached in UN-sponsored talks in Sweden last month

SANAA: Security officials say heavy fighting has broken out between government-allied troops and Shiite Houthi militia in and around Yemen’s contested port city of Hodeidah.
Thursday’s fighting, which went on for about three hours, is thought to be the biggest breach yet of a fragile cease-fire in the city reached in UN-sponsored talks in Sweden last month.
Officials said the two sides used heavy weapons, including mortars, and were bringing in reinforcements.
They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to brief the media.
The fighting took place one day after UN Envoy Martin Griffiths left Yemen after a two-day visit in while he sought to try and salvage the Hodeidah truce, which includes the withdrawal of forces from the Red Sea port city.

 

 

Topics: Houthi militia Yemen Hodeidah