Local Editor
The U.N. envoy for Yemen said Thursday he fears “severe” humanitarian and political fallout if fighting intensifies in the crucial port city of Hodeida, but he’s confident a pact can be forged to prevent increased violence.
Special Envoy Martin Griffiths has been trying to broker a cease-fire after a Saudi-led coalition launched an offensive last week to try to retake Hodeida. The coalition is allied with Yemen’s resigned regime.
“I am confident that we can reach an agreement to avert any escalation of violence” in Hodeida, Griffiths said in a statement Thursday, noting that he feared any military escalation “would have severe political and humanitarian consequences.”
He said he was encouraged by meetings in recent days with leaders of the Houthi Ansarullah movement, and plans to meet with regime leaders.
Hodeida is the main entry point for food, humanitarian aid and fuel supplies to impoverished Yemen, already on the brink of famine after three years of war.
The war has killed over 10,000 people and thrust the Arab world’s poorest country into what the U.N. has called the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Around two-thirds of Yemen’s population of 27 million relies on aid, and over 8 million are at risk of starving.
Aid groups have expressed alarm about the Hodeida offensive, fearing a protracted fight could shut down the port and potentially tip millions of people into starvation.
The coalition has previously faced criticism for a campaign of airstrikes that has killed civilians and destroyed hospitals and markets.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by Website Team
