A military operation has been started by the Saudi-led coalition, who is fighting in Yemen against Houthis, on Saturday. &nbsp;

The action has been taken to stop attacks on its oil facilities and "protect global energy sources," reported Saudi state media. &nbsp;

This comes as oil giant Aramco's petroleum products distribution station in Jeddah was targetted by Houthis on Friday. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/yemens-houthi-rebels-claim-oil-plant-attack-as-huge-fire-erupts-in-jeddah-465548">Yemen's Houthi rebels claim responsibility for oil plant attack in Jeddah</a>

The Saudi-led coalition said the attack led to fire in two storage tanks, but there were no casualties. &nbsp;

The operation is in its initial stages and Houthis should bear the consequences of their "hostile behaviour", the coalition added. &nbsp;

The goal for the operation is to "protect global energy sources and ensure supply chains," it added. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-to-host-us-uea-bharain-and-morocco-diplomats-for-three-day-historic-summit-465487" hreflang="en">Israel to host US, UEA, Bharain and Morocco diplomats for three-day ‘historic' summit</a>

According to the coalition, it will "directly deal with sources of threat". It has also asked civilians to avoid being near any oil site or facility in Yemen's Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, reported Saudi state media. &nbsp;

The warning of the coalition came after it said it intercepted and destroyed two drones over Yemeni skies. The drones were launched towards kingdom from oil facilities in Hodeidah. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The coalition's warplanes launched raids on Hodeidah, Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah TV said. Flights are still going on, it said. &nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Rebels strike fuel depot in Jeddah: Formula Grand Prix to go ahead despite attack

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The coalition attacked the electricity corporation and oil facilities in Hodeidah, Al Masirah TV added. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A military operation has been started by the Saudi-led coalition, who is fighting in Yemen against Houthis, on Saturday. The action has been taken to stop attacks on its oil facilities and "protect global energy sources," reported Saudi state media.

A military operation has been started by the Saudi-led coalition, who is fighting in Yemen against Houthis, on Saturday. The action has been taken to stop attacks on its oil facilities and "protect global energy sources," reported Saudi state media. This comes as oil giant Aramco's petroleum products distribution station in Jeddah was targetted by Houthis on Friday. Also Read: Yemen's Houthi rebels claim responsibility for oil plant attack in Jeddah The Saudi-led coalition said the attack led to fire in two storage tanks, but there were no casualties. The operation is in its initial stages and Houthis should bear the consequences of their "hostile behaviour", the coalition added. The goal for the operation is to "protect global energy sources and ensure supply chains," it added. Also Read: Israel to host US, UEA, Bharain and Morocco diplomats for three-day ‘historic' summit According to the coalition, it will "directly deal with sources of threat". It has also asked civilians to avoid being near any oil site or facility in Yemen's Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, reported Saudi state media. The warning of the coalition came after it said it intercepted and destroyed two drones over Yemeni skies. The drones were launched towards kingdom from oil facilities in Hodeidah. The coalition's warplanes launched raids on Hodeidah, Houthi-affiliated Al Masirah TV said. Flights are still going on, it said. Watch: Rebels strike fuel depot in Jeddah: Formula Grand Prix to go ahead despite attack × The coalition attacked the electricity corporation and oil facilities in Hodeidah, Al Masirah TV added. (With inputs from agencies)

In retaliation to Aramco attack, Saudi-led coalition launches op to fight off Yemen's Houthis

Yemen's warring parties have agreed to start withdrawing forces from the main port of Hodeidah under a UN-sponsored deal, the United Nations said, following weeks of diplomacy to salvage a pact that stalled over control of the Red Sea city.

The Iran-aligned Houthi movement and the Saudi-backed government agreed in talks in December to withdraw troops by January 7 from Hodeidah - a lifeline for millions facing famine - under a truce accord aimed at averting a full-scale assault on the port and paving the way for negotiations to end the four-year-old war.

"The parties reached an agreement on Phase 1 of the mutual redeployment of forces," the UN&nbsp;spokesman's office said in a statement without giving details on what was agreed.

Under Phase 1, the Houthis would withdraw from the ports of Hodeidah, Saleef, used for grains, and Ras Isa, used for oil. This would be met by a retreat of Saudi-led coalition forces from the eastern outskirts of Hodeidah, where battles raged before a ceasefire went into effect on December 18.

The Houthis control Hodeidah, the main entry point for the bulk of Yemen's commercial and aid imports, while other Yemeni forces backed by the Saudi-led coalition loyal to ousted President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi are massed on the outskirts.

The UN&nbsp;statement said the two sides also agreed "in principle" on Phase 2, entailing full redeployment of both parties' forces in Hodeidah province.

Two sources involved in the negotiations, who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of discussions, said both sides had yet to agree on a withdrawal timeline or on a mechanism for local forces to take over security at the ports and city.

"The UN&nbsp;is still discussing how to reduce the gap between the two sides on how to choose the forces that will control the city," one source told Reuters.

The parties could decide within 7-10 days on where they would re-position forces, said the other source, adding that Houthi fighters could pull back as far as 20 km (15 miles) from the port.

Humanitarian corridors

Disagreement on withdrawal had delayed opening humanitarian corridors needed to reach 10 million people on the brink of starvation in Yemen, the poorest country in the Arabian Peninsula.

Under the first phase, the two sides agreed to reopen main roads linking Hodeidah to the Houthi-held capital Sanaa and in Yemen's third city of Taiz, a UN&nbsp;source told Reuters.

They also agreed to enable access to Red Sea Mills, which holds some 50,000 tonnes of World Food Programme grain, enough to feed 3.7 million people for a month, the source said. Access to the site has been cut off since September due to fighting.

"One of the problems with this process so far has been that there are political agreements on how to make progress, but then nothing happens on the ground," said Elizabeth Dickinson, a senior analyst at International Crisis Group.

"Now we theoretically have this agreement to move forward, we need to see someone move on the ground," she said.

The Hodeidah truce has largely been respected but there have been intermittent skirmishes in flashpoints on the city's edges.

Hodeidah became the focus of the war last year when the coalition twice launched an offensive to seize the port and weaken the Houthis by cutting of their main supply line.

The Sunni Muslim alliance led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates intervened in 2015 to restore Hadi's internationally recognised government that was ousted from power in Sanaa in late 2014.

The Houthis control most urban centres while Hadi's government is based in the southern port of Aden and controls some coastal towns.

Western nations, some of which supply arms and intelligence to the coalition, have pressed for an end to the war that has killed tens of thousands of people.

The conflict is widely seen in the region as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The Houthis deny receiving help from Tehran and say their revolution is against corruption.

Yemen's warring parties have agreed to start withdrawing forces from the main port of Hodeidah under a UN-sponsored deal, the United Nations said, following weeks of diplomacy to salvage a pact that stalled over control of the Red Sea city.

Yemen's warring parties have agreed to start withdrawing forces from the main port of Hodeidah under a UN-sponsored deal, the United Nations said, following weeks of diplomacy to salvage a pact that stalled over control of the Red Sea city. The Iran-aligned Houthi movement and the Saudi-backed government agreed in talks in December to withdraw troops by January 7 from Hodeidah - a lifeline for millions facing famine - under a truce accord aimed at averting a full-scale assault on the port and paving the way for negotiations to end the four-year-old war. "The parties reached an agreement on Phase 1 of the mutual redeployment of forces," the UN spokesman's office said in a statement without giving details on what was agreed. Under Phase 1, the Houthis would withdraw from the ports of Hodeidah, Saleef, used for grains, and Ras Isa, used for oil. This would be met by a retreat of Saudi-led coalition forces from the eastern outskirts of Hodeidah, where battles raged before a ceasefire went into effect on December 18. The Houthis control Hodeidah, the main entry point for the bulk of Yemen's commercial and aid imports, while other Yemeni forces backed by the Saudi-led coalition loyal to ousted President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi are massed on the outskirts. The UN statement said the two sides also agreed "in principle" on Phase 2, entailing full redeployment of both parties' forces in Hodeidah province. Two sources involved in the negotiations, who declined to be named due to the sensitivity of discussions, said both sides had yet to agree on a withdrawal timeline or on a mechanism for local forces to take over security at the ports and city. "The UN is still discussing how to reduce the gap between the two sides on how to choose the forces that will control the city," one source told Reuters. The parties could decide within 7-10 days on where they would re-position forces, said the other source, adding that Houthi fighters could pull back as far as 20 km (15 miles) from the port. Humanitarian corridors Disagreement on withdrawal had delayed opening humanitarian corridors needed to reach 10 million people on the brink of starvation in Yemen, the poorest country in the Arabian Peninsula. Under the first phase, the two sides agreed to reopen main roads linking Hodeidah to the Houthi-held capital Sanaa and in Yemen's third city of Taiz, a UN source told Reuters. They also agreed to enable access to Red Sea Mills, which holds some 50,000 tonnes of World Food Programme grain, enough to feed 3.7 million people for a month, the source said. Access to the site has been cut off since September due to fighting. "One of the problems with this process so far has been that there are political agreements on how to make progress, but then nothing happens on the ground," said Elizabeth Dickinson, a senior analyst at International Crisis Group. "Now we theoretically have this agreement to move forward, we need to see someone move on the ground," she said. The Hodeidah truce has largely been respected but there have been intermittent skirmishes in flashpoints on the city's edges. Hodeidah became the focus of the war last year when the coalition twice launched an offensive to seize the port and weaken the Houthis by cutting of their main supply line. The Sunni Muslim alliance led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates intervened in 2015 to restore Hadi's internationally recognised government that was ousted from power in Sanaa in late 2014. The Houthis control most urban centres while Hadi's government is based in the southern port of Aden and controls some coastal towns. Western nations, some of which supply arms and intelligence to the coalition, have pressed for an end to the war that has killed tens of thousands of people. The conflict is widely seen in the region as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The Houthis deny receiving help from Tehran and say their revolution is against corruption.

Yemen's parties agree to start stalled troop withdrawal from main port

Representatives from both sides in the Yemen conflict met on a ship on the Red Sea on Sunday in a UN-led push to implement a stalled troop withdrawal from Yemen's main port of Hodeidah as agreed at December peace talks, a UN official told Reuters.

The is overseeing the implementation of a ceasefire and troop withdrawal accord in Hodeidah, the main entry point for most of Yemen's imports, in the hope it will lead to a political solution to the almost four-year war.

The warring parties were meant to withdraw their forces by January 7 as part of efforts to avert a full-scale assault on Hodeidah, but have failed to do so as the Iranian-aligned Houthi group and the Saudi-backed government disagrees on who should control the city and ports.

Sunday's meeting was the third time the UN-led Redeployment Coordination Committee (RCC) convened since it was formed in December, bringing together the Houthis with the Saudi-backed, internationally recognised Yemeni government and UN mediators.

The parties met on a UN ship because attempts to convene the third meeting in territory held by coalition forces failed because the Houthis were unwilling to cross the frontline, sources have told Reuters. The first two meetings were held in territory under Houthi control, after which the head of the UN mission tasked with overseeing the deal, Patrick Cammaert, shuttled between the two parties.

The vessel picked up a delegation from Yemen's internationally recognised government at an offshore meeting point in the Red Sea before sailing to Hodeidah to pick up the Houthi delegation, a UN statement said on Saturday.

The spokesman for the Yemeni government's delegation to the RCC, Sadiq Dweid, told Reuters the committee had discussed Cammaert's proposals for the troop withdrawal at Sunday's meeting.

"The meetings will continue," he said.

The truce has largely held in Hodeidah, but clashes have increased in recent weeks and the UN Yemen Envoy Martin Griffiths has urged all parties to reduce tensions. Violence has continued in other parts of the country not subject to the deal.

Griffiths' office told Reuters the meeting had begun on Sunday.

The conflict, widely seen in the region as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, has been bogged down in a military stalemate for years.

A Sunni Muslim Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates intervened in Yemen in 2015 to try to restore the government of Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi after it was ousted from power in the capital Sanaa by the Houthis in late 2014.

The Houthis, who say they are enacting a revolution against corruption, control most urban centres in the poorest Arabian Peninsula nation while Hadi's government controls the southern port of Aden and string of coastal towns.

Pope Francis said on Sunday he is following the humanitarian crisis in Yemen with great worry and urged all sides to respect international agreements and ensure food reaches suffering Yemenis.

Representatives from both sides in the Yemen conflict met on a ship on the Red Sea on Sunday in a UN-led push to implement a stalled troop withdrawal from Yemen's main port of Hodeidah as agreed at December peace talks, a UN official told Reuters.

Representatives from both sides in the Yemen conflict met on a ship on the Red Sea on Sunday in a UN-led push to implement a stalled troop withdrawal from Yemen's main port of Hodeidah as agreed at December peace talks, a UN official told Reuters. The is overseeing the implementation of a ceasefire and troop withdrawal accord in Hodeidah, the main entry point for most of Yemen's imports, in the hope it will lead to a political solution to the almost four-year war. The warring parties were meant to withdraw their forces by January 7 as part of efforts to avert a full-scale assault on Hodeidah, but have failed to do so as the Iranian-aligned Houthi group and the Saudi-backed government disagrees on who should control the city and ports. Sunday's meeting was the third time the UN-led Redeployment Coordination Committee (RCC) convened since it was formed in December, bringing together the Houthis with the Saudi-backed, internationally recognised Yemeni government and UN mediators. The parties met on a UN ship because attempts to convene the third meeting in territory held by coalition forces failed because the Houthis were unwilling to cross the frontline, sources have told Reuters. The first two meetings were held in territory under Houthi control, after which the head of the UN mission tasked with overseeing the deal, Patrick Cammaert, shuttled between the two parties. The vessel picked up a delegation from Yemen's internationally recognised government at an offshore meeting point in the Red Sea before sailing to Hodeidah to pick up the Houthi delegation, a UN statement said on Saturday. The spokesman for the Yemeni government's delegation to the RCC, Sadiq Dweid, told Reuters the committee had discussed Cammaert's proposals for the troop withdrawal at Sunday's meeting. "The meetings will continue," he said. The truce has largely held in Hodeidah, but clashes have increased in recent weeks and the UN Yemen Envoy Martin Griffiths has urged all parties to reduce tensions. Violence has continued in other parts of the country not subject to the deal. Griffiths' office told Reuters the meeting had begun on Sunday. The conflict, widely seen in the region as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, has been bogged down in a military stalemate for years. A Sunni Muslim Arab coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates intervened in Yemen in 2015 to try to restore the government of Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi after it was ousted from power in the capital Sanaa by the Houthis in late 2014. The Houthis, who say they are enacting a revolution against corruption, control most urban centres in the poorest Arabian Peninsula nation while Hadi's government controls the southern port of Aden and string of coastal towns. Pope Francis said on Sunday he is following the humanitarian crisis in Yemen with great worry and urged all sides to respect international agreements and ensure food reaches suffering Yemenis.

Yemen's warring parties meet on ship to discuss stalled troop withdrawal

The head of a UN mission tasked with overseeing a peace deal in Yemen's Hodeidah port city is safe after a reported shooting incident, the United Nations said on Thursday.

Both the Iranian-aligned Houthi movement which controls Hodeidah and the Saudi-led coalition that has massed troops on its outskirts, accused one another of opening fire on the convoy of retired Dutch general Patrick Cammaert.

"Patrick Cammaert and team are safe in Hodeidah following reported shooting incident. More information to come later," the office of the spokesperson for the UN chief tweeted.

A Yemeni source in the Saudi-led coalition told Reuters the convoy was visiting an area under its control when Houthi fighters opened fire. A statement from a Houthi official sent to Reuters said coalition-backed forces in the eastern suburbs, a flashpoint, had fired on the convoy.

Cammaert arrived in the Red Sea port city on December 22 to head the committee overseeing implementation of a ceasefire and troop withdrawal deal reached at peace talks last month in Sweden between the Houthis and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government.

The ceasefire has largely held but sporadic skirmishes have flared. The United Nations has struggled to implement the withdrawal of forces from both sides.

The truce has averted a full-scale assault on Hodeidah, the entry point for the bulk of Yemen's commercial imports and vital aid supplies. It is a lifeline for millions of Yemenis facing severe hunger in the poorest Arabian Peninsula country.

The UN Security Council approved on Wednesday the deployment of up to 75 observers to Hodeidah for six months to monitor implementation of the deal, which was the first significant breakthrough in peace efforts in five years.

The coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates intervened in the war in 2015 against the Houthis to restore the internationally recognised government of Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, which was ousted from the capital Sanaa in 2014.

The Houthis, who say their revolution is against corruption, control most urban centres while Hadi's government is based in the southern port city of Aden.

UN envoy Martin Griffiths has said that substantial progress was needed in Hodeidah before more talks can be held on ending the war that has killed tens of thousands of people.

Western allies, some of which supply arms and intelligence to the Sunni Muslim coalition, have pressed for an end to the conflict that is widely seen in the region as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and its foe Shi'ite Muslim Iran.

The head of a UN mission tasked with overseeing a peace deal in Yemen's Hodeidah port city is safe after a reported shooting incident, the United Nations said on Thursday.

The head of a UN mission tasked with overseeing a peace deal in Yemen's Hodeidah port city is safe after a reported shooting incident, the United Nations said on Thursday. Both the Iranian-aligned Houthi movement which controls Hodeidah and the Saudi-led coalition that has massed troops on its outskirts, accused one another of opening fire on the convoy of retired Dutch general Patrick Cammaert. "Patrick Cammaert and team are safe in Hodeidah following reported shooting incident. More information to come later," the office of the spokesperson for the UN chief tweeted. A Yemeni source in the Saudi-led coalition told Reuters the convoy was visiting an area under its control when Houthi fighters opened fire. A statement from a Houthi official sent to Reuters said coalition-backed forces in the eastern suburbs, a flashpoint, had fired on the convoy. Cammaert arrived in the Red Sea port city on December 22 to head the committee overseeing implementation of a ceasefire and troop withdrawal deal reached at peace talks last month in Sweden between the Houthis and the Saudi-backed Yemeni government. The ceasefire has largely held but sporadic skirmishes have flared. The United Nations has struggled to implement the withdrawal of forces from both sides. The truce has averted a full-scale assault on Hodeidah, the entry point for the bulk of Yemen's commercial imports and vital aid supplies. It is a lifeline for millions of Yemenis facing severe hunger in the poorest Arabian Peninsula country. The UN Security Council approved on Wednesday the deployment of up to 75 observers to Hodeidah for six months to monitor implementation of the deal, which was the first significant breakthrough in peace efforts in five years. The coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates intervened in the war in 2015 against the Houthis to restore the internationally recognised government of Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, which was ousted from the capital Sanaa in 2014. The Houthis, who say their revolution is against corruption, control most urban centres while Hadi's government is based in the southern port city of Aden. UN envoy Martin Griffiths has said that substantial progress was needed in Hodeidah before more talks can be held on ending the war that has killed tens of thousands of people. Western allies, some of which supply arms and intelligence to the Sunni Muslim coalition, have pressed for an end to the conflict that is widely seen in the region as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and its foe Shi'ite Muslim Iran.

UN says team head safe in Yemen's Hodeidah after shooting incident

A UN&nbsp;advance team arrived in <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/yemens-warring-sides-trade-blame-for-truce-breach-swap-prisoner-lists-185321">Yemen</a>'s port city of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/yemenis-in-hodeidah-hope-truce-holds-as-warring-parties-talk-peace-184115">Hodeidah</a> on Sunday to start monitoring a ceasefire and withdrawal of forces agreed by the Iranian-aligned Houthi group and Saudi-backed government forces, the United Nations said.

The warring parties in Yemen's nearly four-year war reached the deal at UN-sponsored peace talks in Sweden earlier this month. The truce began on Tuesday but skirmishes continued on the outskirts of the city.

The UN&nbsp;Security Council on Friday unanimously approved the deployment&nbsp;for an initial 30 days of an advance monitoring team led by retired Dutch General Patrick Cammaert. He is chair of a Redeployment Coordination Committee (RCC) that includes representatives from both sides of the conflict.

"General Cammaert is encouraged by the general enthusiasm of both sides to get to work, immediately. One of the priorities in the coming days will be the organization of the first joint RCC meeting, which is projected for 26 December," UN&nbsp;spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.

Cammaert's team, which the United Nations has said will not be uninformed or armed, will oversee the truce and troop withdrawal from Hodeidah city and three ports.

The United Nations will also provide support for the management of and inspections at the ports of Hodeidah, Salif and Ras Issa; and strengthen its presence in the war-torn region.

Hodeidah, the main port used to feed Yemen's 30 million people, has been the focus of fighting this year, raising fears abroad that a full-scale assault could cut off supplies to nearly 16 million people suffering from severe hunger.

The deal reached in Sweden is meant to pave the way for a wider ceasefire in the impoverished country and the second round of talks in January on a framework for political negotiations.

A Sunni Muslim Arab alliance led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates entered the war in 2015 against the Houthis to restore the internationally recognized government of Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, which was ousted from the capital Sanaa.

The Houthis control most urban centres, including Sanaa, while Hadi's government is based in the southern port of Aden.

A UN advance team arrived in Yemen's port city of Hodeidah on Sunday to start monitoring a ceasefire and withdrawal of forces agreed by the Iranian-aligned Houthi group and Saudi-backed government forces, the United Nations said.

A UN advance team arrived in Yemen's port city of Hodeidah on Sunday to start monitoring a ceasefire and withdrawal of forces agreed by the Iranian-aligned Houthi group and Saudi-backed government forces, the United Nations said. The warring parties in Yemen's nearly four-year war reached the deal at UN-sponsored peace talks in Sweden earlier this month. The truce began on Tuesday but skirmishes continued on the outskirts of the city. The UN Security Council on Friday unanimously approved the deployment for an initial 30 days of an advance monitoring team led by retired Dutch General Patrick Cammaert. He is chair of a Redeployment Coordination Committee (RCC) that includes representatives from both sides of the conflict. "General Cammaert is encouraged by the general enthusiasm of both sides to get to work, immediately. One of the priorities in the coming days will be the organization of the first joint RCC meeting, which is projected for 26 December," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement. Cammaert's team, which the United Nations has said will not be uninformed or armed, will oversee the truce and troop withdrawal from Hodeidah city and three ports. The United Nations will also provide support for the management of and inspections at the ports of Hodeidah, Salif and Ras Issa; and strengthen its presence in the war-torn region. Hodeidah, the main port used to feed Yemen's 30 million people, has been the focus of fighting this year, raising fears abroad that a full-scale assault could cut off supplies to nearly 16 million people suffering from severe hunger. The deal reached in Sweden is meant to pave the way for a wider ceasefire in the impoverished country and the second round of talks in January on a framework for political negotiations. A Sunni Muslim Arab alliance led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates entered the war in 2015 against the Houthis to restore the internationally recognized government of Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, which was ousted from the capital Sanaa. The Houthis control most urban centres, including Sanaa, while Hadi's government is based in the southern port of Aden.

Advance UN truce monitors arrive in Yemen's Hodeidah

An <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/yemens-warring-sides-trade-blame-for-truce-breach-swap-prisoner-lists-185321">uneasy calm returned to the battleground Yemeni city of Hodeida</a> on Thursday after further overnight skirmishes, as the warring parties await the promised deployment of UN staff to oversee a hard-won but fragile truce.

The ceasefire in the Red Sea port city, which is a vital aid lifeline for millions at risk of starvation, is the centrepiece of a peace push that is seen as the best chance yet of ending four years of devastating conflict.

Military officials and residents have reported intermittent fighting between Saudi-backed government forces and Huthi Shiite rebels since the UN-brokered ceasefire came into effect in the city and its surroundings on Tuesday.&nbsp;

A pro-government official told AFP that four loyalists were wounded in a firefight on Wednesday night.&nbsp;

"The exchange of fire lasted for about half an hour, and there is an uneasy calm this morning," he said.

Residents reached by telephone confirmed to AFP that there was no fighting on Thursday morning. &nbsp;

The official added there has been intermittent fighting on a number of battlefronts in Hodeida province, including the districts of Hays and Al-Tuhayta.

A coalition official told AFP the "level of intensity" of Huthi attacks had decreased, which was "a positive sign but too early to draw concrete conclusions".

Pro-government forces and Huthi rebels accused each other of breaching the ceasefire agreed at talks in Sweden earlier this month.

The rebel-run Saba news agency said loyalists targeted a "number of neighbourhoods in the city" overnight.&nbsp;

'Breathing down the neck' 
UN observers are due in Yemen to head up monitoring teams made up of government and rebel representatives tasked with overseeing the implementation of the UN-brokered ceasefire, under the auspices of a Redeployment Coordination Committee.

The committee's UN chair, Patrick Cammaert, convened its first meeting by videoconference from New York on Wednesday "to discuss the general outlines of its work, including agreement of a code of conduct", UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.&nbsp;

UN chief Antonio Guterres was "breathing down the neck" of officials to make sure the UN observers are deployed as soon as possible, Dujarric said.

He added that Cammaert will head on Thursday to Jordan from where he will travel on to the rebel-held capital Sanaa and Hodeida.&nbsp;

A UN official told AFP that he was expected in Amman on Friday.&nbsp;

"His departure to Yemen depends on logistics arrangements and flight availability," the official, who requested anonymity, said.

Brigadier General Ahmed al-Kokbani, a Yemeni government representative on the committee, told AFP that the videoconference with Cammaert covered the bases of the committee's mission.&nbsp;

"Cammaert asked members of the team to work diligently in calming the situation and to reject any violations," he said.

The coalition source reiterated Thursday the Saudi-alliance's commitment to UN peace efforts, saying: "We will extend our full support to Cammaert... and we hope to see positive progress".

The coalition said Wednesday that the hard-won ceasefire agreement will collapse if rebel violations persist and the United Nations does not intervene.

The committee's observers are due to oversee the withdrawal of the warring parties from Hodeida, including a rebel pullout from the city's docks that are the entry point for 80 percent of Yemeni imports and nearly all UN-supervised humanitarian aid.

Cammaert is due to report back to the Security Council about the situation on the ground on a weekly basis.

According to the International Crisis Group, the "odds are stacked against" UN envoy Martin Griffiths and his team.&nbsp;

"The Hodeida agreement came about in a rush, and critics have assailed it as too vague and open to interpretation," it said in a statement on Wednesday.

"Griffiths will now have to build on this imperfect but highly welcome and overdue agreement, which, as Crisis Group has argued, the UN Security Council should endorse via a new resolution," it added.&nbsp;

"Without strong international support, the Hodeida ceasefire will falter."

The war between the Shiite Huthi rebels and troops loyal to President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi escalated in 2015, when he fled into Saudi exile and the Saudi-led military coalition intervened.

Since then, the war has killed some 10,000 people, according to the World Health Organization, although human rights groups say the real death toll could be five times as high.

The conflict has pushed 14 million people to the brink of famine in what the United Nations describes as the world's worst humanitarian crisis.&nbsp;

An uneasy calm returned to the battleground Yemeni city of Hodeida on Thursday after further overnight skirmishes, as the warring parties await the promised deployment of UN staff to oversee a hard-won but fragile truce.

An uneasy calm returned to the battleground Yemeni city of Hodeida on Thursday after further overnight skirmishes, as the warring parties await the promised deployment of UN staff to oversee a hard-won but fragile truce. The ceasefire in the Red Sea port city, which is a vital aid lifeline for millions at risk of starvation, is the centrepiece of a peace push that is seen as the best chance yet of ending four years of devastating conflict. Military officials and residents have reported intermittent fighting between Saudi-backed government forces and Huthi Shiite rebels since the UN-brokered ceasefire came into effect in the city and its surroundings on Tuesday. A pro-government official told AFP that four loyalists were wounded in a firefight on Wednesday night. "The exchange of fire lasted for about half an hour, and there is an uneasy calm this morning," he said. Residents reached by telephone confirmed to AFP that there was no fighting on Thursday morning. The official added there has been intermittent fighting on a number of battlefronts in Hodeida province, including the districts of Hays and Al-Tuhayta. A coalition official told AFP the "level of intensity" of Huthi attacks had decreased, which was "a positive sign but too early to draw concrete conclusions". Pro-government forces and Huthi rebels accused each other of breaching the ceasefire agreed at talks in Sweden earlier this month. The rebel-run Saba news agency said loyalists targeted a "number of neighbourhoods in the city" overnight. 'Breathing down the neck' UN observers are due in Yemen to head up monitoring teams made up of government and rebel representatives tasked with overseeing the implementation of the UN-brokered ceasefire, under the auspices of a Redeployment Coordination Committee. The committee's UN chair, Patrick Cammaert, convened its first meeting by videoconference from New York on Wednesday "to discuss the general outlines of its work, including agreement of a code of conduct", UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. UN chief Antonio Guterres was "breathing down the neck" of officials to make sure the UN observers are deployed as soon as possible, Dujarric said. He added that Cammaert will head on Thursday to Jordan from where he will travel on to the rebel-held capital Sanaa and Hodeida. A UN official told AFP that he was expected in Amman on Friday. "His departure to Yemen depends on logistics arrangements and flight availability," the official, who requested anonymity, said. Brigadier General Ahmed al-Kokbani, a Yemeni government representative on the committee, told AFP that the videoconference with Cammaert covered the bases of the committee's mission. "Cammaert asked members of the team to work diligently in calming the situation and to reject any violations," he said. The coalition source reiterated Thursday the Saudi-alliance's commitment to UN peace efforts, saying: "We will extend our full support to Cammaert... and we hope to see positive progress". The coalition said Wednesday that the hard-won ceasefire agreement will collapse if rebel violations persist and the United Nations does not intervene. The committee's observers are due to oversee the withdrawal of the warring parties from Hodeida, including a rebel pullout from the city's docks that are the entry point for 80 percent of Yemeni imports and nearly all UN-supervised humanitarian aid. Cammaert is due to report back to the Security Council about the situation on the ground on a weekly basis. According to the International Crisis Group, the "odds are stacked against" UN envoy Martin Griffiths and his team. "The Hodeida agreement came about in a rush, and critics have assailed it as too vague and open to interpretation," it said in a statement on Wednesday. "Griffiths will now have to build on this imperfect but highly welcome and overdue agreement, which, as Crisis Group has argued, the UN Security Council should endorse via a new resolution," it added. "Without strong international support, the Hodeida ceasefire will falter." The war between the Shiite Huthi rebels and troops loyal to President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi escalated in 2015, when he fled into Saudi exile and the Saudi-led military coalition intervened. Since then, the war has killed some 10,000 people, according to the World Health Organization, although human rights groups say the real death toll could be five times as high. The conflict has pushed 14 million people to the brink of famine in what the United Nations describes as the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

'Uneasy calm' in Yemen's Hodeida as combatants await UN truce team

Yemenis dared to hope on Friday that a ceasefire agreed in the contested port city of Hodeidah might bring a permanent end to fighting that has driven many from their homes and into an existential struggle for food and medical care.

Hodeidah became the focus of Yemen`s nearly four-year-old war this year after the Saudi-led coalition launched an offensive to seize the city, a Red Sea port and supply line for millions of people at risk of famine, from Iranian-aligned Houthi forces that also hold the capital Sanaa.

At talks in Sweden on Thursday, the Houthis and the coalition-backed government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi agreed to stop fighting in Hodeidah and withdraw forces.

It was a breakthrough for UN-led efforts to end the war that has killed tens of thousands of people and caused the world`s worst humanitarian crisis.

Akram Ateeq, 31, used to support his mother, wife and child by selling fish near Hodeidah harbour but has been unable to work for six months due to battles on the outskirts of the city.

"We are happy there will be a halt to the war. We have no jobs and are living on aid. We need help," he told Reuters.

Residents reported lingering skirmishes on the northern and eastern edges of the city on Thursday night but said Hodeidah was calm by Friday morning. Streets were largely empty at the start of the weekend.

"We are happy about the ceasefire but are worried that the fighters will not abide by it," said teacher Iman Azzi, in her 50s. "The war has destroyed us. We want to live."

Youssef Abdo Ali, 44, has been struggling to feed his nine children since seeking refuge in Hodeidah. "The war has wiped out everything," he said.

UN envoy Martin Griffiths, who secured Thursday`s deal after a week of peace talks in Sweden, the first in over two years, said both parties would withdraw "within days" from the port, a major entry point for most of Yemen`s commercial imports and aid supplies, and later from the city as a whole. 
International monitors are to be deployed and armed forces would pull back completely within 21 days.

The warring parties are due to discuss a political framework for peace negotiations at a second round of talks in January.

"BUMPY" ROAD AHEAD

The Sunni Muslim alliance led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) intervened in the war in 2015 to restore Hadi`s government after it was ousted from Sanaa by the Houthis.

The Gulf states have come under pressure from Western allies to end the conflict, in which thousands of civilians have been killed in Saudi-led air strikes, rights groups say.

"The road ahead remains bumpy but the significant breakthrough will make peace possible," UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash tweeted on Friday.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir later tweeted that Saudi Defence Minister Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had exerted "great personal efforts" to ensure the success of the Sweden talks, without providing details.

The war is seen as a broader proxy conflict between Iran and its major Middle East rival Saudi Arabia.

The UAE, which controls military bases in the coastal towns of al-Khokha and al-Mokha, has massed thousands of Yemeni forces on the outskirts of Hodeidah, the Houthis` main supply line.

Coalition warplanes have backed fighters battling Houthis in the eastern 7th July district of Hodeidah and near a university 4 km (2.5 miles) from the port and a few blocks from al-Thawra hospital, the main medical facility on Yemen`s western coast.

The ceasefire has wider implications for millions facing possible starvation, as the port supplies two-thirds of the population of the impoverished country of 29 million people.&nbsp;

Herve Verhoosel, senior spokesman for the World Food Programme, told a UN briefing in Geneva that the truce should enable a sustained flow of food, fuel and aid and prevent further price spikes.

He said it would renew access to Red Sea Mills, which stores 51,000 tonnes of WFP wheat stock but has been cut off since September due to fighting.

US aid group Mercy Corps cautioned that the truce was only the first step on an uncertain road to peace.

“The measure of the agreement will be taken in action on the ground, not words in a conference room," Mercy Corps Yemen director Abdikadir Mohamud said.

Yemenis dared to hope on Friday that a ceasefire agreed in the contested port city of Hodeidah might bring a permanent end to fighting that has driven many from their homes and into an existential struggle for food and medical care.

Yemenis dared to hope on Friday that a ceasefire agreed in the contested port city of Hodeidah might bring a permanent end to fighting that has driven many from their homes and into an existential struggle for food and medical care. Hodeidah became the focus of Yemen`s nearly four-year-old war this year after the Saudi-led coalition launched an offensive to seize the city, a Red Sea port and supply line for millions of people at risk of famine, from Iranian-aligned Houthi forces that also hold the capital Sanaa. At talks in Sweden on Thursday, the Houthis and the coalition-backed government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi agreed to stop fighting in Hodeidah and withdraw forces. It was a breakthrough for UN-led efforts to end the war that has killed tens of thousands of people and caused the world`s worst humanitarian crisis. Akram Ateeq, 31, used to support his mother, wife and child by selling fish near Hodeidah harbour but has been unable to work for six months due to battles on the outskirts of the city. "We are happy there will be a halt to the war. We have no jobs and are living on aid. We need help," he told Reuters. Residents reported lingering skirmishes on the northern and eastern edges of the city on Thursday night but said Hodeidah was calm by Friday morning. Streets were largely empty at the start of the weekend. "We are happy about the ceasefire but are worried that the fighters will not abide by it," said teacher Iman Azzi, in her 50s. "The war has destroyed us. We want to live." Youssef Abdo Ali, 44, has been struggling to feed his nine children since seeking refuge in Hodeidah. "The war has wiped out everything," he said. UN envoy Martin Griffiths, who secured Thursday`s deal after a week of peace talks in Sweden, the first in over two years, said both parties would withdraw "within days" from the port, a major entry point for most of Yemen`s commercial imports and aid supplies, and later from the city as a whole. International monitors are to be deployed and armed forces would pull back completely within 21 days. The warring parties are due to discuss a political framework for peace negotiations at a second round of talks in January. "BUMPY" ROAD AHEAD The Sunni Muslim alliance led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) intervened in the war in 2015 to restore Hadi`s government after it was ousted from Sanaa by the Houthis. The Gulf states have come under pressure from Western allies to end the conflict, in which thousands of civilians have been killed in Saudi-led air strikes, rights groups say. "The road ahead remains bumpy but the significant breakthrough will make peace possible," UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash tweeted on Friday. Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir later tweeted that Saudi Defence Minister Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman had exerted "great personal efforts" to ensure the success of the Sweden talks, without providing details. The war is seen as a broader proxy conflict between Iran and its major Middle East rival Saudi Arabia. The UAE, which controls military bases in the coastal towns of al-Khokha and al-Mokha, has massed thousands of Yemeni forces on the outskirts of Hodeidah, the Houthis` main supply line. Coalition warplanes have backed fighters battling Houthis in the eastern 7th July district of Hodeidah and near a university 4 km (2.5 miles) from the port and a few blocks from al-Thawra hospital, the main medical facility on Yemen`s western coast. The ceasefire has wider implications for millions facing possible starvation, as the port supplies two-thirds of the population of the impoverished country of 29 million people. Herve Verhoosel, senior spokesman for the World Food Programme, told a UN briefing in Geneva that the truce should enable a sustained flow of food, fuel and aid and prevent further price spikes. He said it would renew access to Red Sea Mills, which stores 51,000 tonnes of WFP wheat stock but has been cut off since September due to fighting. US aid group Mercy Corps cautioned that the truce was only the first step on an uncertain road to peace. “The measure of the agreement will be taken in action on the ground, not words in a conference room," Mercy Corps Yemen director Abdikadir Mohamud said.

Yemenis in Hodeidah hope truce holds as warring parties talk peace

Yemen's warring parties agreed to a ceasefire in the strategic Houthi-held port city of Hodeidah and to place it under the control of local forces, the United Nations chief said at the close of peace talks in Sweden on Thursday (December 13).

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that a political framework for peace negotiations would be discussed at another round of talks between the Saudi-backed government and the Iranian-aligned Houthis.

He said armed forces of both parties would withdraw from Hodeidah. Coalition troops have massed on the outskirts of the city, the main entrypoint for most of Yemen's commercial imports and vital aid supplies.

The Houthis control most population centres in Yemen including the capital Sanaa, from where they ousted the government of Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi in 2014. The government is currently based in the southern port of Aden.

Coalition leaders Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have come under pressure by Western allies, many of which supply the alliance with arms and intelligence, to end the nearly four-year-old war that has killed tens of thousands of people.

The coalition intervened in the war in 2015 to restore Hadi's government but has been bogged down in a military stalemate for years.

Yemen's warring parties agreed to a ceasefire in the strategic Houthi-held port city of Hodeidah and to place it under the control of local forces, the United Nations chief said at the close of peace talks in Sweden on Thursday (December 13).

Yemen's warring parties agreed to a ceasefire in the strategic Houthi-held port city of Hodeidah and to place it under the control of local forces, the United Nations chief said at the close of peace talks in Sweden on Thursday (December 13). UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that a political framework for peace negotiations would be discussed at another round of talks between the Saudi-backed government and the Iranian-aligned Houthis. He said armed forces of both parties would withdraw from Hodeidah. Coalition troops have massed on the outskirts of the city, the main entrypoint for most of Yemen's commercial imports and vital aid supplies. The Houthis control most population centres in Yemen including the capital Sanaa, from where they ousted the government of Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi in 2014. The government is currently based in the southern port of Aden. Coalition leaders Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have come under pressure by Western allies, many of which supply the alliance with arms and intelligence, to end the nearly four-year-old war that has killed tens of thousands of people. The coalition intervened in the war in 2015 to restore Hadi's government but has been bogged down in a military stalemate for years.

Yemen's warring parties agree to Hodeidah ceasefire at end of peace talks

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