United Nations special envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths reiterated his stance on Monday on reopening Yemen's ports in order to allow the flow of much-needed humanitarian aid. He is leading a global effort to secure end to fighting in Yemen. United Nations has already characterised the situation surrounding Yemen war as world's biggest humanitarian crisis.

No agreement has been reached despite all the parties agreeing to prioritise Yemen's humanitarian needs, according to Griffiths.

Houthi rebels who are fighting against the government have been demanding lifting of blockade at country's main port and airport in the capital. The Saudis, who are heading a coalition against Houthi rebels have said that a ceasefire deal must accompany reopening air and sea links. Houthis have not agreed to this.

The Houthis, who have controlled most of northern Yemen since 2014, are pressing an offensive to seize Yemen's gas-rich Marib region and have kept up cross-border attacks on Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi-led coalition intervened in Yemen in 2015 after the Houthis ousted a Saudi-backed government from the capital Sanaa. The Houthis say they are fighting a corrupt system and foreign aggression.

(With inputs from agencies)

United Nations special envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths reiterated his stance on Monday on reopening Yemen's ports in order to allow the flow of much-needed humanitarian aid.

United Nations special envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths reiterated his stance on Monday on reopening Yemen's ports in order to allow the flow of much-needed humanitarian aid. He is leading a global effort to secure end to fighting in Yemen. United Nations has already characterised the situation surrounding Yemen war as world's biggest humanitarian crisis. No agreement has been reached despite all the parties agreeing to prioritise Yemen's humanitarian needs, according to Griffiths. Houthi rebels who are fighting against the government have been demanding lifting of blockade at country's main port and airport in the capital. The Saudis, who are heading a coalition against Houthi rebels have said that a ceasefire deal must accompany reopening air and sea links. Houthis have not agreed to this. The Houthis, who have controlled most of northern Yemen since 2014, are pressing an offensive to seize Yemen's gas-rich Marib region and have kept up cross-border attacks on Saudi Arabia. The Saudi-led coalition intervened in Yemen in 2015 after the Houthis ousted a Saudi-backed government from the capital Sanaa. The Houthis say they are fighting a corrupt system and foreign aggression. (With inputs from agencies)

Yemen: UN envoy calls for reopening of ports, ceasefire

Heavy fighting near the Yemeni city of Marib has killed 96 combatants over the past two days as the Houthi rebels have stepped up their offensive on the government's last northern toehold.

Houthi rebels attack Yemen forces: 96 killed in fighting near Marib

The fight for control over the strategic region of Marib has heated up in Yemen and loyalist military officials have said that 70 pro-government and Houthi rebel fighters have died. The region of Marib is strategic and oil-rich.

Marib is government's last significant pocket of territory. The Houthi rebels have been trying to seize Marib since February.

Two officials from pro-government forces told AFP that battles are raging on three fronts outside Marib city as the Huthis mount a concerted push.&nbsp;

The new toll has come after officials on Saturday announced 53 killed on both sides.

The 70 dead included 26 members of the pro-government forces and 44 from Huthi ranks, they said. The rebels rarely disclose their losses.&nbsp;

One of the officials said that the rebels "are launching simultaneous attacks" in the areas of Kassara and Al-Mashjah, northwest of the city, and Jabal Murad in the south.

"They have made progress on the Kassara and Al-Mashjah fronts, but they have been thwarted on the Jabal Murad front," he told AFP.

Houthi rebels are backed by Iran. The rebel overran Yemen's capital Sanaa. Saudi Arabia-led coalition is opposing the rebel.

The loss of Marib can be a huge blow for the Yemeni government.

(With AFP input)

&nbsp;

The fight for control over the strategic region of Marib has heated up in Yemen and loyalist military officials have said that 70 pro-government and Houthi rebel fighters have died.

The fight for control over the strategic region of Marib has heated up in Yemen and loyalist military officials have said that 70 pro-government and Houthi rebel fighters have died. The region of Marib is strategic and oil-rich. Marib is government's last significant pocket of territory. The Houthi rebels have been trying to seize Marib since February. Two officials from pro-government forces told AFP that battles are raging on three fronts outside Marib city as the Huthis mount a concerted push. The new toll has come after officials on Saturday announced 53 killed on both sides. The 70 dead included 26 members of the pro-government forces and 44 from Huthi ranks, they said. The rebels rarely disclose their losses. One of the officials said that the rebels "are launching simultaneous attacks" in the areas of Kassara and Al-Mashjah, northwest of the city, and Jabal Murad in the south. "They have made progress on the Kassara and Al-Mashjah fronts, but they have been thwarted on the Jabal Murad front," he told AFP. Houthi rebels are backed by Iran. The rebel overran Yemen's capital Sanaa. Saudi Arabia-led coalition is opposing the rebel. The loss of Marib can be a huge blow for the Yemeni government. (With AFP input)

Yemen: 70 dead in fighting over Marib region, say loyalist officials

Fighting for the key region of Marib in Yemen has intensified and as per loyalist military officials who were quoted by news agencies, 53 pro-government and Houthi rebel fighters were killed in the past 24 hours. Marib is the last significant pocket of territory under the Yemeni government's control in north Yemen. The Houthi rebels have been trying to seize the oil-rich region since February.

"The rebels have managed to seize a bit of territory" in the latest fighting northwest of the city, a pro-government military source said, assessing the city of Marib itself was not under threat.

AFP quoted the same source to say that 22 government soldiers including five officers had been killed, along with 31 rebels. Houthis rarely announced casualties on their own side.&nbsp;

If Marib falls to Houthi rebels, it will be a huge blow to the Yemeni government. The government is&nbsp;currently based in the southern city of Aden.

The rebels have stepped up missile and drone strikes against neighbouring Saudi Arabia in recent months, demanding the opening of Yemen's airspace and ports.

They have rejected a Saudi proposal for a ceasefire.

Iran-backed Houthi rebels overran Yemen's capital Sanaa in 2014. This prompted Saudi Arabia-led coalition to intervene in March 2015 in support of the Yemeni government.

(With AFP inputs)

Fighting for the key region of Marib in Yemen has intensified and as per loyalist military officials who were quoted by news agencies, 53 pro-government and Houthi rebel fighters were killed in the past 24 hours.

Fighting for the key region of Marib in Yemen has intensified and as per loyalist military officials who were quoted by news agencies, 53 pro-government and Houthi rebel fighters were killed in the past 24 hours. Marib is the last significant pocket of territory under the Yemeni government's control in north Yemen. The Houthi rebels have been trying to seize the oil-rich region since February. "The rebels have managed to seize a bit of territory" in the latest fighting northwest of the city, a pro-government military source said, assessing the city of Marib itself was not under threat. AFP quoted the same source to say that 22 government soldiers including five officers had been killed, along with 31 rebels. Houthis rarely announced casualties on their own side. If Marib falls to Houthi rebels, it will be a huge blow to the Yemeni government. The government is currently based in the southern city of Aden. The rebels have stepped up missile and drone strikes against neighbouring Saudi Arabia in recent months, demanding the opening of Yemen's airspace and ports. They have rejected a Saudi proposal for a ceasefire. Iran-backed Houthi rebels overran Yemen's capital Sanaa in 2014. This prompted Saudi Arabia-led coalition to intervene in March 2015 in support of the Yemeni government. (With AFP inputs)

Yemen: Battle for Marib heats up

United Nations on Tuesday called for an independent probe of Yemen capital fire that killed dozens of migrants in a holding facility. The fire had raged on March 7 in Yemen's capital Sanaa.

"There must be an independent investigation into the cause of the fire," the UN envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, told the Security Council.

Human Rights Watch earlier Tuesday blamed the March 7 fire on "unidentified projectiles" fired by Yemen's Houthi rebels.

Iran-backed Houthi rebels control northern Yemen, including Sanaa.

Griffiths said, "the world was reminded of the plight of the migrant community last week when an extraordinary, horrific fire broke out at a detention facility in Sanaa holding predominantly Ethiopian migrants."

He said that 170 were seriously injured in the fire while dozens were killed.

HRW said detainees had been protesting against overcrowding when camp guards rounded up hundreds of them into a hangar and fired two projectiles into the building.

"The migrants said the first projectile produced a lot of smoke and made their eyes water and sting. The second, which the migrants called a 'bomb,' exploded loudly and started a fire," HRW said.&nbsp;

"Huthi authorities should urgently engage with Ethiopian authorities whose nationals are languishing in Yemeni detention centres under their control," HRW said.

(With AFP inputs)

United Nations on Tuesday called for an independent probe of Yemen capital fire that killed dozens of migrants in a holding facility. The fire had raged on March 7 in Yemen's capital Sanaa.

United Nations on Tuesday called for an independent probe of Yemen capital fire that killed dozens of migrants in a holding facility. The fire had raged on March 7 in Yemen's capital Sanaa. "There must be an independent investigation into the cause of the fire," the UN envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, told the Security Council. Human Rights Watch earlier Tuesday blamed the March 7 fire on "unidentified projectiles" fired by Yemen's Houthi rebels. Iran-backed Houthi rebels control northern Yemen, including Sanaa. Griffiths said, "the world was reminded of the plight of the migrant community last week when an extraordinary, horrific fire broke out at a detention facility in Sanaa holding predominantly Ethiopian migrants." He said that 170 were seriously injured in the fire while dozens were killed. HRW said detainees had been protesting against overcrowding when camp guards rounded up hundreds of them into a hangar and fired two projectiles into the building. "The migrants said the first projectile produced a lot of smoke and made their eyes water and sting. The second, which the migrants called a 'bomb,' exploded loudly and started a fire," HRW said. "Huthi authorities should urgently engage with Ethiopian authorities whose nationals are languishing in Yemeni detention centres under their control," HRW said. (With AFP inputs)

Independent investigation needed into Yemen fire: UN

The Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for the missile attack which Saudi Arabia led military collision has claimed it had thwarted on Saturday and threatened more attacks.

Houthi rebels claim Saudi Arabia missile attack, warn of more

Yemen's Saudi-backed government accused Huthi rebels Saturday of using civilians as human shields in their renewed offensive against its last major toehold in the north.

Earlier this month, the Iran-backed rebels resumed a push to capture the city of Marib, 120 kilometres (75 miles) east of the rebel-held capital Sanaa.

The city lies close to some of Yemen's richest oil fields and its capture would be major prize for the rebels.

But the fighting has raised fears for the hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians sheltering in camps in the surrounding desert that extends to the Saudi border.

Loyalist military officials told AFP the rebels had been using residents of Al-Zor camp in the province's Sirwah district as "human shields" since their capture of the area last week.

The officials said there had been no let-up in the fighting.

Over the past 24 hours, at least 12 loyalist and 20 rebel fighters had been killed in clashes north and west of Marib, they said.

There was no way to independently verify the death toll but it is clear that both sides have suffered heavy casualties in the renewed battle for the city.

Until early last year,&nbsp;Marib had been spared the worst of the civil war that erupted in 2014.

Head of the rebels' unofficial government, Abdulaziz bin Habtoor, urged the Yemeni people Saturday to support the Huthis' efforts to seize Marib.&nbsp;

"Those fighting us in Marib are but agents grouped together and sent there under the auspices of the aggressor coalition," he said, according to the rebels' Al-Masirah channel.&nbsp;

"We all should support the (Huthi) army... in this decisive battle of Marib."

The International Committee of the Red Cross has said it is "extremely concerned" by the recent fighting.&nbsp;

"The ICRC urges all parties to the conflict to take every possible measure to protect the civilians, their properties and all civilian essential infrastructures," it said on Twitter.

The UN has warned of the potential for a humanitarian disaster.&nbsp;

"It puts millions of civilians at risk, especially with the fighting reaching camps for internally displaced persons," envoy Martin Griffiths told the UN Security Council.

The Huthi offensive came as&nbsp;the new US administration removed the rebels from Washington's blacklist of terrorist organisations in a bid to facilitate aid deliveries to rebel-held areas and pave the way for renewed peace talks.

President Joe Biden has also announced an end to US backing for Saudi offensive operations in Yemen, which he said had created a "humanitarian and strategic&nbsp;catastrophe".&nbsp;

Observers say the Huthis want to capture Marib to strengthen their hand in eventual peace negotiations.

Yemen's Saudi-backed government accused Huthi rebels Saturday of using civilians as human shields in their renewed offensive against its last major toehold in the north.

Yemen's Saudi-backed government accused Huthi rebels Saturday of using civilians as human shields in their renewed offensive against its last major toehold in the north. Earlier this month, the Iran-backed rebels resumed a push to capture the city of Marib, 120 kilometres (75 miles) east of the rebel-held capital Sanaa. The city lies close to some of Yemen's richest oil fields and its capture would be major prize for the rebels. But the fighting has raised fears for the hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians sheltering in camps in the surrounding desert that extends to the Saudi border. Loyalist military officials told AFP the rebels had been using residents of Al-Zor camp in the province's Sirwah district as "human shields" since their capture of the area last week. The officials said there had been no let-up in the fighting. Over the past 24 hours, at least 12 loyalist and 20 rebel fighters had been killed in clashes north and west of Marib, they said. There was no way to independently verify the death toll but it is clear that both sides have suffered heavy casualties in the renewed battle for the city. Until early last year, Marib had been spared the worst of the civil war that erupted in 2014. Head of the rebels' unofficial government, Abdulaziz bin Habtoor, urged the Yemeni people Saturday to support the Huthis' efforts to seize Marib. "Those fighting us in Marib are but agents grouped together and sent there under the auspices of the aggressor coalition," he said, according to the rebels' Al-Masirah channel. "We all should support the (Huthi) army... in this decisive battle of Marib." The International Committee of the Red Cross has said it is "extremely concerned" by the recent fighting. "The ICRC urges all parties to the conflict to take every possible measure to protect the civilians, their properties and all civilian essential infrastructures," it said on Twitter. The UN has warned of the potential for a humanitarian disaster. "It puts millions of civilians at risk, especially with the fighting reaching camps for internally displaced persons," envoy Martin Griffiths told the UN Security Council. The Huthi offensive came as the new US administration removed the rebels from Washington's blacklist of terrorist organisations in a bid to facilitate aid deliveries to rebel-held areas and pave the way for renewed peace talks. President Joe Biden has also announced an end to US backing for Saudi offensive operations in Yemen, which he said had created a "humanitarian and strategic catastrophe". Observers say the Huthis want to capture Marib to strengthen their hand in eventual peace negotiations.

Yemen government accuses rebels of using civilians as human shields

Saudi-backed Yemen government on Saturday accused Houthi rebels of using civilians as human shields in their renewed offensive against the rebels' last major toehold in the north. Earlier this month, the Iran-backed rebels resumed a push to capture the city of Marib, 120 kilometres (75 miles) east of the rebel-held capital Sanaa.

Marib lies close to some of Yemen's richest oil fields. Capture of Marib will be major prize for the rebels. But fighting raised fears for hundreds of thousands of civilians who have sought shelter in camps in the surrounding desert.&nbsp;

Loyalist military officials told AFP the rebels had been using residents of Al-Zor camp in the province's Sirwah district as "human shields". The rebels captured the area last week

The officials said there had been no let-up in the fighting.

Over the past 24 hours, at least 12 loyalist and 20 rebel fighters had been killed in clashes north and west of Marib, they said.

There was no way to independently verify the death toll but it is clear that both sides have suffered heavy casualties in the renewed battle for the city.

Until early last year, Marib had been spared the worst of the civil war that erupted in 2014.

The International Committee of the Red Cross has said it is "extremely concerned" by the recent fighting.&nbsp;

"The ICRC urges all parties to the conflict to take every possible measure to protect the civilians, their properties and all civilian essential infrastructures," it said on Twitter.

The UN has warned of the potential for a humanitarian disaster.&nbsp;

"It puts millions of civilians at risk, especially with the fighting reaching camps for internally displaced persons," envoy Martin Griffiths told the UN Security Council.

\The Huthi offensive came as the new US administration removed the rebels from Washington's blacklist of terrorist organisations in a bid to facilitate aid deliveries to rebel-held areas and pave the way for renewed peace talks.

President Joe Biden has also announced an end to US backing for Saudi offensive operations in Yemen, which he said had created a "humanitarian and strategic catastrophe."&nbsp; 
Observers say the Huthis want to capture Marib to strengthen their hand in eventual peace negotiations.

(With AFP inputs)

Saudi-backed Yemen government on Saturday accused Houthi rebels of using civilians as human shields in their renewed offensive against the rebels' last major toehold in the north.

Saudi-backed Yemen government on Saturday accused Houthi rebels of using civilians as human shields in their renewed offensive against the rebels' last major toehold in the north. Earlier this month, the Iran-backed rebels resumed a push to capture the city of Marib, 120 kilometres (75 miles) east of the rebel-held capital Sanaa. Marib lies close to some of Yemen's richest oil fields. Capture of Marib will be major prize for the rebels. But fighting raised fears for hundreds of thousands of civilians who have sought shelter in camps in the surrounding desert. Loyalist military officials told AFP the rebels had been using residents of Al-Zor camp in the province's Sirwah district as "human shields". The rebels captured the area last week The officials said there had been no let-up in the fighting. Over the past 24 hours, at least 12 loyalist and 20 rebel fighters had been killed in clashes north and west of Marib, they said. There was no way to independently verify the death toll but it is clear that both sides have suffered heavy casualties in the renewed battle for the city. Until early last year, Marib had been spared the worst of the civil war that erupted in 2014. The International Committee of the Red Cross has said it is "extremely concerned" by the recent fighting. "The ICRC urges all parties to the conflict to take every possible measure to protect the civilians, their properties and all civilian essential infrastructures," it said on Twitter. The UN has warned of the potential for a humanitarian disaster. "It puts millions of civilians at risk, especially with the fighting reaching camps for internally displaced persons," envoy Martin Griffiths told the UN Security Council. \The Huthi offensive came as the new US administration removed the rebels from Washington's blacklist of terrorist organisations in a bid to facilitate aid deliveries to rebel-held areas and pave the way for renewed peace talks. President Joe Biden has also announced an end to US backing for Saudi offensive operations in Yemen, which he said had created a "humanitarian and strategic catastrophe." Observers say the Huthis want to capture Marib to strengthen their hand in eventual peace negotiations. (With AFP inputs)

Yemen accuses Houthi rebels of using human shields

A civilian plane was set on fire during an attack by Houthi rebels on an airport in Saudi Arabia. The information was released by Saudi-led coalition battling the rebels. The airport is located in southern part of the country.

"A cowardly terrorist attack by the Huthi militia on Abha international airport... A civilian plane within the airport grounds was exposed to a fire which was brought under control," state-run Al-Ekhbariya television cited the coalition as saying.

The attack has taken place at Abha International Airport. Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for the attack.

State media said that that the fire was brought under control and that there were no casualties.

The Saudi-led military alliance intervened in Yemen in 2015 after the Houthis ousted the internationally recognised government from power in the capital, Sanaa.

The conflict, largely seen as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, has been in a military stalemate for years.

The Houthis hold northern Yemen, from where they have often launched missiles and drones towards Saudi cities. The coalition has in the past responded with air strikes on Houthi military sites.

(With agency inputs, more details awaited)

A civilian plane was set on fire during an attack by Houthi rebels on an airport in Saudi Arabia. The information was released by Saudi-led coalition battling the rebels.

A civilian plane was set on fire during an attack by Houthi rebels on an airport in Saudi Arabia. The information was released by Saudi-led coalition battling the rebels. The airport is located in southern part of the country. "A cowardly terrorist attack by the Huthi militia on Abha international airport... A civilian plane within the airport grounds was exposed to a fire which was brought under control," state-run Al-Ekhbariya television cited the coalition as saying. The attack has taken place at Abha International Airport. Houthi rebels have claimed responsibility for the attack. State media said that that the fire was brought under control and that there were no casualties. The Saudi-led military alliance intervened in Yemen in 2015 after the Houthis ousted the internationally recognised government from power in the capital, Sanaa. The conflict, largely seen as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, has been in a military stalemate for years. The Houthis hold northern Yemen, from where they have often launched missiles and drones towards Saudi cities. The coalition has in the past responded with air strikes on Houthi military sites. (With agency inputs, more details awaited)

Saudi Arabia: Passenger plane catches fire during Houthi rebel attack on airport

Conflict-ravaged Yemen has become a "living hell" for children with thousands dying every year from malnutrition and easily preventable diseases. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/satellite-images-reveal-real-covid-19-death-toll-in-yemen-338476">Also read: Satellite images reveal real COVID-19 death toll in Yemen</a>

The number of malnourished children in Yemen could rise to 2.4 million by the end of the year due to a big shortfall in humanitarian funding, the United Nations children's agency UNICEF had said. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-war-torn-yemen-how-donkeys-became-a-prized-commodity-328395">Also read: In war-torn Yemen, how donkeys became a prized commodity</a>

According to UN data, Yemen’s crisis has reached unprecedented levels. Six years after the start of the war, hunger, even famine, is increasingly likely. Donor countries, especially Saudi Arabia, have failed to fulfil their aid commitments. Out the US$ 3.2 billion dollars needed, only US$ 1.43 have been raised so far. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-is-a-threat-to-warn-torn-yemen-un-refugee-agency-299595">Also read | COVID-19 is a threat to warn-torn Yemen: UN Refugee Agency</a>

Signs of hunger, or even worse, famine, are increasingly visible. In some parts of the country, experts warn, levels of acute child malnutrition are alarming. "Nearly 100,000 children are at risk of death,” a UN official said.

Drivers of malnutrition in Yemen worsened in 2020, as the coronavirus pandemic, economic decline, floods, escalating conflict and significant underfunding of this year’s aid response have compounded an already bleak hunger situation after nearly six years of war.

Millions have no access to food, healthcare, clean water or sanitation. It's a festering pool of coronavirus infections.

The UN is not able to do much due to lack of funds. It has warned that most of its relief programs will be suspended in the coming weeks.

In early June, the UN raised the alarm and received 1.3 billion dollars in aid to help Yemen, which is just half of what it got last year.

For Yemen, which entirely depends on aid to survive, this is detrimental as 80 per cent of the population relies on handouts.

The civil war has left millions unemployed. Now, 80 per cent of the country is in need of humanitarian assistance but the two warring sides are blocking vital food and medical aid.

The war in Yemen began in 2014 pitting the pro-Saudi government and Shia Houthi rebels close to Iran.&nbsp;

Yemen is a failed state without a central government in charge.

(With inputs from agencies)

Conflict-ravaged Yemen has become a "living hell" for children with thousands dying every year from malnutrition and easily preventable diseases. Also read: Satellite images reveal real COVID-19 death toll in Yemen The number of malnourished children in Yemen could rise to 2.

Conflict-ravaged Yemen has become a "living hell" for children with thousands dying every year from malnutrition and easily preventable diseases. Also read: Satellite images reveal real COVID-19 death toll in Yemen The number of malnourished children in Yemen could rise to 2.4 million by the end of the year due to a big shortfall in humanitarian funding, the United Nations children's agency UNICEF had said. Also read: In war-torn Yemen, how donkeys became a prized commodity According to UN data, Yemen’s crisis has reached unprecedented levels. Six years after the start of the war, hunger, even famine, is increasingly likely. Donor countries, especially Saudi Arabia, have failed to fulfil their aid commitments. Out the US$ 3.2 billion dollars needed, only US$ 1.43 have been raised so far. Also read | COVID-19 is a threat to warn-torn Yemen: UN Refugee Agency Signs of hunger, or even worse, famine, are increasingly visible. In some parts of the country, experts warn, levels of acute child malnutrition are alarming. "Nearly 100,000 children are at risk of death,” a UN official said. Drivers of malnutrition in Yemen worsened in 2020, as the coronavirus pandemic, economic decline, floods, escalating conflict and significant underfunding of this year’s aid response have compounded an already bleak hunger situation after nearly six years of war. Millions have no access to food, healthcare, clean water or sanitation. It's a festering pool of coronavirus infections. The UN is not able to do much due to lack of funds. It has warned that most of its relief programs will be suspended in the coming weeks. In early June, the UN raised the alarm and received 1.3 billion dollars in aid to help Yemen, which is just half of what it got last year. For Yemen, which entirely depends on aid to survive, this is detrimental as 80 per cent of the population relies on handouts. The civil war has left millions unemployed. Now, 80 per cent of the country is in need of humanitarian assistance but the two warring sides are blocking vital food and medical aid. The war in Yemen began in 2014 pitting the pro-Saudi government and Shia Houthi rebels close to Iran. Yemen is a failed state without a central government in charge. (With inputs from agencies)

War-torn Yemen on brink of losing an entire generation of children to hunger: UN

Warring parties in Yemen carried out a prisoner exchange in an attempt to build trust and take steps to end a devastating war. Planes carrying prisoners took off from three airports in an operation that involved about 1000 prisoners.

Saudi Arabia-led military coalition and Yemen's Houthi rebels had agreed last month in Switzerland to exchange 1081 prisoners. This is a largest swap of its kind in five-year-old conflict. The prisoner exchange was managed by International Committee of the Red Cross.

"This operation that means so much to so many families is under way," Fabrizio Carboni, ICRC regional director for the Middle East, told Reuters from Sanaa airport.

One of the planes was carrying Saudi and Sudanese detainees and flew to Saudi Arabia. The other two flew to Sayoun airport in the government-held Hadramout region.

Two planes carrying Houthis released by the coalition departed Sayoun, and a second arrived from Abha airport in Saudi Arabia, another Reuters witness and sources said.

ICRC spokeswoman Ruth Hetherington said more than 700 prisoners had been exchanged on Thursday on a total of seven flights from Sayoun, Sanaa and Abha. More flights are scheduled over the next two days, the aid agency said.

Under the deal, the Iran-aligned Houthi group is to release around 400 people while the coalition would free 681 Houthi fighters.

Trust-Building

Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam said the swap "brings hope for peace-building".

A coalition statement, which confirmed that the plane carrying 15 Saudis and four Sudanese had landed in Riyadh, stressed the "political and military leaderships’ keenness for the return of all POWs and detainees". 
The warring sides had agreed in 2018 to swap 15,000 detainees split between both sides to pave the way for political negotiations to end the conflict, but progress has been slow.

Meanwhile, In an apparent prisoner swap, two captive Americans were freed on Wednesday as 240 supporters of the Huthi rebels in Yemen were allowed to go home. The swap involved Saudi Arabia and Oman. Announcement to this effect was made by the White House. Humanitarian worker Sandra Loli and businessman Mikael Gidada were freed by the Huthi rebels. The rebels control much of Yemen including its capital Sanaa. 
&nbsp; 
The rebels also sent back the remains of a third American, Bilal Fateen, the White House said. Secretary of&nbsp; 
State Mike Pompeo said Fateen died in captivity, without providing details.

The exchange of prisoners was not officially called a swap as US National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien stopped short of calling it a swap. He thanked Saudi King Salman and Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al-Said "for their efforts to secure the release of our citizens."

(With inputs from Reuters and AFP)

Warring parties in Yemen carried out a prisoner exchange in an attempt to build trust and take steps to end a devastating war. Planes carrying prisoners took off from three airports in an operation that involved about 1000 prisoners.

Warring parties in Yemen carried out a prisoner exchange in an attempt to build trust and take steps to end a devastating war. Planes carrying prisoners took off from three airports in an operation that involved about 1000 prisoners. Saudi Arabia-led military coalition and Yemen's Houthi rebels had agreed last month in Switzerland to exchange 1081 prisoners. This is a largest swap of its kind in five-year-old conflict. The prisoner exchange was managed by International Committee of the Red Cross. "This operation that means so much to so many families is under way," Fabrizio Carboni, ICRC regional director for the Middle East, told Reuters from Sanaa airport. One of the planes was carrying Saudi and Sudanese detainees and flew to Saudi Arabia. The other two flew to Sayoun airport in the government-held Hadramout region. Two planes carrying Houthis released by the coalition departed Sayoun, and a second arrived from Abha airport in Saudi Arabia, another Reuters witness and sources said. ICRC spokeswoman Ruth Hetherington said more than 700 prisoners had been exchanged on Thursday on a total of seven flights from Sayoun, Sanaa and Abha. More flights are scheduled over the next two days, the aid agency said. Under the deal, the Iran-aligned Houthi group is to release around 400 people while the coalition would free 681 Houthi fighters. Trust-Building Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam said the swap "brings hope for peace-building". A coalition statement, which confirmed that the plane carrying 15 Saudis and four Sudanese had landed in Riyadh, stressed the "political and military leaderships’ keenness for the return of all POWs and detainees". The warring sides had agreed in 2018 to swap 15,000 detainees split between both sides to pave the way for political negotiations to end the conflict, but progress has been slow. Meanwhile, In an apparent prisoner swap, two captive Americans were freed on Wednesday as 240 supporters of the Huthi rebels in Yemen were allowed to go home. The swap involved Saudi Arabia and Oman. Announcement to this effect was made by the White House. Humanitarian worker Sandra Loli and businessman Mikael Gidada were freed by the Huthi rebels. The rebels control much of Yemen including its capital Sanaa. The rebels also sent back the remains of a third American, Bilal Fateen, the White House said. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Fateen died in captivity, without providing details. The exchange of prisoners was not officially called a swap as US National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien stopped short of calling it a swap. He thanked Saudi King Salman and Omani Sultan Haitham bin Tarik Al-Said "for their efforts to secure the release of our citizens." (With inputs from Reuters and AFP)

Yemen: Saudi-led coalition and Houthi rebels carry out huge prisoner exchange

The warring sides in Yemen's long conflict have agreed to exchange as many as 1,081 prisoners.

The development came following talks in at the Swiss village of Glion, overlooking Lake Geneva in Switzerland, the United Nations mediator said on Sunday.

Yemen's government, which is supported by a Saudi-led military coalition, and Iran-backed Huthi rebels had resolved to swap some 15,000 detainees as part of a peace deal brokered by the UN in Stockholm back in 2018.

The two sides have since undertaken sporadic prisoner exchanges, but the release of over 1,000 loyalists and insurgents would mark the first large-scale handover since the war erupted in 2014.

UN envoy Martin Griffiths hailed the decision to release the prisoners as the largest such operation during Yemen's conflict. He also congratulated the government and the Huthis for renewing their "commitment to the full implementation of the Stockholm agreement".

The Huthi-run Al-Masirah TV channel quoted a rebel source as confirming a deal had been reached and that both parties "express their commitment to implement the agreement".

Yemen's Foreign Minister Mohammad al-Hadhrami welcomed the deal as a "humanitarian" breakthrough, but also said in a tweet that "the government demands the agreement is implemented without stalling".

The agreement includes the release of "681 rebels and 400 government forces (and allies), among them 15 Saudis and four Sudanese", a member of the government delegation told AFP.

The talks began on September 18, and had been aimed at securing the release of 1,420 prisoners, including the brother of Yemeni President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.

Tens of thousands of people, mostly civilians, have died in the Yemen conflict, which has sparked what the United Nations calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

 
&nbsp;

The warring sides in Yemen's long conflict have agreed to exchange as many as 1,081 prisoners. The development came following talks in at the Swiss village of Glion, overlooking Lake Geneva in Switzerland, the United Nations mediator said on Sunday.

The warring sides in Yemen's long conflict have agreed to exchange as many as 1,081 prisoners. The development came following talks in at the Swiss village of Glion, overlooking Lake Geneva in Switzerland, the United Nations mediator said on Sunday. Yemen's government, which is supported by a Saudi-led military coalition, and Iran-backed Huthi rebels had resolved to swap some 15,000 detainees as part of a peace deal brokered by the UN in Stockholm back in 2018. The two sides have since undertaken sporadic prisoner exchanges, but the release of over 1,000 loyalists and insurgents would mark the first large-scale handover since the war erupted in 2014. UN envoy Martin Griffiths hailed the decision to release the prisoners as the largest such operation during Yemen's conflict. He also congratulated the government and the Huthis for renewing their "commitment to the full implementation of the Stockholm agreement". The Huthi-run Al-Masirah TV channel quoted a rebel source as confirming a deal had been reached and that both parties "express their commitment to implement the agreement". Yemen's Foreign Minister Mohammad al-Hadhrami welcomed the deal as a "humanitarian" breakthrough, but also said in a tweet that "the government demands the agreement is implemented without stalling". The agreement includes the release of "681 rebels and 400 government forces (and allies), among them 15 Saudis and four Sudanese", a member of the government delegation told AFP. The talks began on September 18, and had been aimed at securing the release of 1,420 prisoners, including the brother of Yemeni President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi. Tens of thousands of people, mostly civilians, have died in the Yemen conflict, which has sparked what the United Nations calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

Yemen govt, Houthi rebels agree large prisoner exchange

Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement accused the Saudi-led coalition of carrying out retaliatory airstrikes on Saturday that killed at least 30 people including civilians, in the latest flare-up of a five-year war.

Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthi movement accused the Saudi-led coalition of carrying out retaliatory airstrikes on Saturday that killed at least 30 people including civilians, in the latest flare-up of a five-year war. The United Nations office in Yemen said preliminary field reports indicated that "as many as 31 civilians were killed and 12 others injured in strikes that hit Al-Hajah area" in Al-Jawf province. The health ministry in Houthi-controlled Al-Jawf province said women and children were among those killed, Houthi-run Al-Masirah TV reported. It followed a Houthi claim to have downed a coalition Tornado warplane in the area on Friday. [ Civilians gathering around the wreckage for inspection in Yemen (Courtesy: Reuters) ] Also Read: Drone shot down in Yemen, Houthi group responsible: US officials But the Saudi-led coalition's spokesman Colonel Turki al-Malki said only that a Tornado jet had crashed in Al-Jawf, Saudi state news agency (SPA) reported on Saturday. Maliki later said that rescue operations had been launched and that the possibility of "collateral damages" has been reported, without providing more details. Maliki said the crew of two officers ejected from the plane before it crashed but the Houthis opened fire at them. | [ Civilians gather at crash site to inspect the wreckage (Courtesy: Reuters) ] The office of the UN resident coordinator in Yemen said in a statement that humanitarian partners have deployed rapid response teams for the victims, many of whom were being transferred to hospitals in Al-Jawf governorate and Sanaa for treatment. The Saudi-led Sunni Muslim coalition intervened in Yemen in March 2015 after the Houthis ousted the internationally recognised government from power in the capital, Sanaa, in 2014. The conflict is widely seen as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and its regional foe, Shi’ite Muslim Iran. There was no independent verification of the airstrikes or Tornado downing.

'31 civilians' killed in Yemen's air strikes after Saudi jet crash

Yemen's Houthi rebels on Sunday claimed to have captured hundreds of Saudis, including mercenaries from Pakistan, Iraq, and Sudan, during attacks over the past three days in the southern Saudi region of Najran.

"The enemy has suffered heavy losses during the operation," a statement released by the group's spokesperson Abdul Salam read, and noted that "among the captives are hundreds of Saudis, including officers and mercenaries from Sudan, Pakistan, and Iraq, among others."

"The Nasr Min Allah (a victory from Allah) operation is one of the best and greatest fruits of the steadfastness of Yemini people in confronting the aggression," the statement added.

Watch: Houthis release footage said to show border attack and Saudi forces surrendering

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The development comes hours after the group broadcast video footage they said was of a deadly attack in the Saudi region of Najran that killed hundreds of soldiers, with thousands of others surrendering before the armed group, including three brigades of troops led by former-Pakistan Army chief Raheel Sharif.

A spokesman of the Houthis, Yahya Saree, described the attacks as an ambush on the Saudi forces that then developed into an "all-out" cross-border offensive that trapped the troops inside Saudi Arabia, Al Jazeera reported.

"More than 200 were killed in dozens of [missile and drone] strikes while trying to escape or surrender," Saree said.

The spokesperson added that the offence committed 72 hours earlier had targeted three "enemy military brigades", leading to the capture of "thousands" of troops, including Saudi army officers and soldiers, and hundreds of armoured vehicles.

The army brigades were a part of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), commanded by the former Pakistan Army chief. The IMCTC is an intergovernmental counter-terrorist alliance of the Middle Eastern countries, united around military intervention against the Islamic State and other counter-terrorist activities.

Sharif was named the IMCTC's first commander-in-chief in January 2017 after his retirement as the Pakistan Army general in 2016.

The released video showed armoured vehicles being hit by blasts and soldiers surrendering before the Iran-aligned rebels.

Catherine Shakdam from UK-based think-tank 'Next Century Foundation' told Al Jazeera there was no reason to doubt what the Houthis were saying.

"The video and images coming through are affirming the statement. It's a pivotal point in this war that now Yemeni are moving on Saudi land. It's quite interesting to see with all the talk of a grand Saudi coalition that Saudi is very much alone in this fight," Shakdam was quoted as saying.

The Houthi rebels in Yemen on Monday warned of more attacks on Saudi Arabia's oil infrastructure, two days after drone strikes that interrupted much of the kingdom's oil production that heightened tensions between Iran and the United States.

The rebel group has launched a missile and drone attacks into Saudi territory before, but never anything on that scale.

The attacks on the Kingdom's oil giant Saudi Aramco forced the shutdown of facilities at Abqaiq and Khurais, which process most of the crude oil produced by Saudi Arabia, which supplies about a tenth of the worldwide total.

Yemen's Houthi rebels on Sunday claimed to have captured hundreds of Saudis, including mercenaries from Pakistan, Iraq, and Sudan, during attacks over the past three days in the southern Saudi region of Najran.

Yemen's Houthi rebels on Sunday claimed to have captured hundreds of Saudis, including mercenaries from Pakistan, Iraq, and Sudan, during attacks over the past three days in the southern Saudi region of Najran. "The enemy has suffered heavy losses during the operation," a statement released by the group's spokesperson Abdul Salam read, and noted that "among the captives are hundreds of Saudis, including officers and mercenaries from Sudan, Pakistan, and Iraq, among others." "The Nasr Min Allah (a victory from Allah) operation is one of the best and greatest fruits of the steadfastness of Yemini people in confronting the aggression," the statement added. Watch: Houthis release footage said to show border attack and Saudi forces surrendering The development comes hours after the group broadcast video footage they said was of a deadly attack in the Saudi region of Najran that killed hundreds of soldiers, with thousands of others surrendering before the armed group, including three brigades of troops led by former-Pakistan Army chief Raheel Sharif. A spokesman of the Houthis, Yahya Saree, described the attacks as an ambush on the Saudi forces that then developed into an "all-out" cross-border offensive that trapped the troops inside Saudi Arabia, Al Jazeera reported. "More than 200 were killed in dozens of [missile and drone] strikes while trying to escape or surrender," Saree said. The spokesperson added that the offence committed 72 hours earlier had targeted three "enemy military brigades", leading to the capture of "thousands" of troops, including Saudi army officers and soldiers, and hundreds of armoured vehicles. The army brigades were a part of the Islamic Military Counter Terrorism Coalition (IMCTC), commanded by the former Pakistan Army chief. The IMCTC is an intergovernmental counter-terrorist alliance of the Middle Eastern countries, united around military intervention against the Islamic State and other counter-terrorist activities. Sharif was named the IMCTC's first commander-in-chief in January 2017 after his retirement as the Pakistan Army general in 2016. The released video showed armoured vehicles being hit by blasts and soldiers surrendering before the Iran-aligned rebels. Catherine Shakdam from UK-based think-tank 'Next Century Foundation' told Al Jazeera there was no reason to doubt what the Houthis were saying. "The video and images coming through are affirming the statement. It's a pivotal point in this war that now Yemeni are moving on Saudi land. It's quite interesting to see with all the talk of a grand Saudi coalition that Saudi is very much alone in this fight," Shakdam was quoted as saying. The Houthi rebels in Yemen on Monday warned of more attacks on Saudi Arabia's oil infrastructure, two days after drone strikes that interrupted much of the kingdom's oil production that heightened tensions between Iran and the United States. The rebel group has launched a missile and drone attacks into Saudi territory before, but never anything on that scale. The attacks on the Kingdom's oil giant Saudi Aramco forced the shutdown of facilities at Abqaiq and Khurais, which process most of the crude oil produced by Saudi Arabia, which supplies about a tenth of the worldwide total.

Pakistani mercenaries among troops captured during Saudi attack: Yemen's Houthi rebels

Who Is Raheel Sharif? Why Is He Leading An Anti-terror Coalition In Saudi Arabia? Yemen's Houthi rebels claim to have killed or wounded hundreds of soldiers of Saudi Arabia. They also say that thousands of soldiers surrendered, including three brigades of troops led by Raheel Sharif, former Pakistan army Chief. The report brings the story of Raheel Sharif

Gravitas: The story of Raheel Sharif

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pakistani-mercenaries-among-troops-captured-during-saudi-attack-yemens-houthi-rebels-252738">Yemen's Houthi rebels</a> have freed 290 prisoners, including dozens of survivors from a Saudi-led coalition strike on a detention centre earlier this month, the ICRC said Monday.

The International Committee of the Red Cross hailed the move as "a positive step that will hopefully revive the release, transfer and repatriation of conflict-related detainees" under a deal struck last year between the rebels and Yemen's government.

The Houthis recently announced the capture of hundreds of Yemeni loyalist forces in an August offensive near the Saudi border, but they were not among those freed on Monday.

The United Nations' special envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, welcomed the initiative to "unilaterally release detainees".

"I hope this step will lead to further initiatives that will facilitate the exchange of all the conflict-related detainees as per the Stockholm Agreement" Griffiths said, referring to the 2018 accord.

He called on all parties to work together to speed prisoner releases, saying they and their families had "endured profound pain and suffering."&nbsp;

In a statement, he urged the parties to meet at the "nearest opportunity" to resume the discussions on future exchanges.

The Houthi's own announcement on the prisoner release said there were 350 in the group, including three Saudis.

"We have presented to the United Nations a unilateral initiative to release 350 prisoners," Abdel Kader Mortaza, the Houthi official in charge of prisoner affairs, said at a press conference in Sanaa.

Years of conflict in Yemen have killed tens of thousands of people, mostly civilians.

Since the Saudi-led coalition intervened to back up the government in 2015, the fighting has plunged the country -- the poorest in the Arab world -- into what the UN calls the globe's worst humanitarian crisis.

In early September, a Saudi-led coalition backing the government struck a former college in the western city of Dhamar, used by the Houthis as a detention centre.

The Red Cross said over 100 people were killed.

 
&nbsp;

Yemen's Houthi rebels have freed 290 prisoners, including dozens of survivors from a Saudi-led coalition strike on a detention centre earlier this month, the ICRC said Monday.

Yemen's Houthi rebels have freed 290 prisoners, including dozens of survivors from a Saudi-led coalition strike on a detention centre earlier this month, the ICRC said Monday. The International Committee of the Red Cross hailed the move as "a positive step that will hopefully revive the release, transfer and repatriation of conflict-related detainees" under a deal struck last year between the rebels and Yemen's government. The Houthis recently announced the capture of hundreds of Yemeni loyalist forces in an August offensive near the Saudi border, but they were not among those freed on Monday. The United Nations' special envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, welcomed the initiative to "unilaterally release detainees". "I hope this step will lead to further initiatives that will facilitate the exchange of all the conflict-related detainees as per the Stockholm Agreement" Griffiths said, referring to the 2018 accord. He called on all parties to work together to speed prisoner releases, saying they and their families had "endured profound pain and suffering." In a statement, he urged the parties to meet at the "nearest opportunity" to resume the discussions on future exchanges. The Houthi's own announcement on the prisoner release said there were 350 in the group, including three Saudis. "We have presented to the United Nations a unilateral initiative to release 350 prisoners," Abdel Kader Mortaza, the Houthi official in charge of prisoner affairs, said at a press conference in Sanaa. Years of conflict in Yemen have killed tens of thousands of people, mostly civilians. Since the Saudi-led coalition intervened to back up the government in 2015, the fighting has plunged the country -- the poorest in the Arab world -- into what the UN calls the globe's worst humanitarian crisis. In early September, a Saudi-led coalition backing the government struck a former college in the western city of Dhamar, used by the Houthis as a detention centre. The Red Cross said over 100 people were killed.

Yemen Houthi rebels free 290 prisoners: ICRC

The United Nations envoy for Yemen welcomed Saturday an offer from the country's Houthi rebels to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/yemens-houthis-say-aramco-plants-still-a-target-report-249938">halt all attacks on Saudi Arabia</a>, saying it could bring an end to years of bloody conflict.

Implementation of the initiative by the Houthis "in good faith could send a powerful message of the will to end the war," Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths said.&nbsp;

The Iran-backed Houthis, which control the capital Sanaa and other parts of Yemen, have been fighting against a Saudi-led coalition which supports the country's internationally recognized government in a devastating five-year war.

Griffiths hailed "the desire for a political solution to end the conflict" in a statement issued from UN headquarters in New York.

On Friday, the Houthis proposed halting attacks on Saudi Arabia as part of a peace initiative.

Saudi Arabia gave a cautious response, with the minister of state for foreign affairs Adel al-Jubeir saying on Saturday, "We judge other parties by their deeds, actions and not by their words, so we will see (whether) they actually do this or not."

Griffiths stressed "the importance of taking advantage of this opportunity and moving forward with all necessary steps to reduce violence, military escalation and unhelpful rhetoric."

The Houthis' announcement comes after a wave of drone strikes last weekend on Saudi oil installations, which knocked out half of Saudi Arabia's production and sent shock waves through energy markets.&nbsp;

The attacks were claimed by Yemen's Houthis, but the United States says it has concluded the strikes involved cruise missiles from Iran.

Yemen's conflict has killed tens of thousands of people -- most of them civilians -- and driven millions more to the brink of famine in what the United Nations calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

The United Nations envoy for Yemen welcomed Saturday an offer from the country's Houthi rebels to halt all attacks on Saudi Arabia, saying it could bring an end to years of bloody conflict.

The United Nations envoy for Yemen welcomed Saturday an offer from the country's Houthi rebels to halt all attacks on Saudi Arabia, saying it could bring an end to years of bloody conflict. Implementation of the initiative by the Houthis "in good faith could send a powerful message of the will to end the war," Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths said. The Iran-backed Houthis, which control the capital Sanaa and other parts of Yemen, have been fighting against a Saudi-led coalition which supports the country's internationally recognized government in a devastating five-year war. Griffiths hailed "the desire for a political solution to end the conflict" in a statement issued from UN headquarters in New York. On Friday, the Houthis proposed halting attacks on Saudi Arabia as part of a peace initiative. Saudi Arabia gave a cautious response, with the minister of state for foreign affairs Adel al-Jubeir saying on Saturday, "We judge other parties by their deeds, actions and not by their words, so we will see (whether) they actually do this or not." Griffiths stressed "the importance of taking advantage of this opportunity and moving forward with all necessary steps to reduce violence, military escalation and unhelpful rhetoric." The Houthis' announcement comes after a wave of drone strikes last weekend on Saudi oil installations, which knocked out half of Saudi Arabia's production and sent shock waves through energy markets. The attacks were claimed by Yemen's Houthis, but the United States says it has concluded the strikes involved cruise missiles from Iran. Yemen's conflict has killed tens of thousands of people -- most of them civilians -- and driven millions more to the brink of famine in what the United Nations calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

United Nations welcomes Houthi offer to halt all attacks on Saudi Arabia

A Saudi-led military coalition said on Sunday it had launched air strikes on Houthi military targets in southwest Yemen that Houthi-run media said had hit a prison, killing dozens of people.

A Saudi-led military coalition said on Sunday it had launched air strikes on Houthi military targets in southwest Yemen that Houthi-run media said had hit a prison, killing dozens of people. The Sunni Muslim coalition, which has been battling the Iran-aligned Houthi movement for more than four years in Yemen, said in a statement carried on Saudi state television that it destroyed a site storing drones and missiles in Dhamar. Residents told Reuters there had been six air strikes and that a complex in the city being used as a detention centre had been hit. The Houthi health ministry spokesman, in comments carried on the group's Al Masirah TV, said 60 bodies had been pulled from rubble at the prison and that the number could rise. There was no immediate independent confirmation of the number of casualties. "The explosions were strong and shook the city," one resident said. "Afterwards ambulance sirens could be heard until dawn." The Western-backed alliance intervened in Yemen in March 2015 against the Houthis after they ousted the internationally recognised government from power in the capital, Sanaa, in late 2014. The movement, which holds most major population centres in the Arabian peninsula nation, has stepped up cross-border missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia in recent months. The Saudi-led alliance has responded with strikes on Houthi targets. The coalition, which has come under criticism by international rights groups for air strikes that have killed civilians, said it had taken measures to protect civilians in Dhamar and the assault complied with international law. Al Masirah quoted the head of the Houthis' national committee for prisoner affairs, Abdul Qader al-Mortada, as saying the detention centre in Dhamar housed 170 prisoners. The United Nations is trying to ease tension in Yemen to prepare for political negotiations to end the war that has killed tens of thousands and pushed the long-impoverished country to the brink of famine. The conflict is widely seen in the region as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The Houthis, who deny being puppets of Tehran, say they are fighting a corrupt system.

Saudi-led coalition says it bombed Houthi arms site in Yemen, group says prison hit

The UN confirmed a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/yemen-government-accuses-rebels-of-ploy-over-ports-pullout-217817">withdrawal by Yemen's Houthi rebels from three Red Sea ports</a> had begun Saturday, while a senior pro-government official accused the rebels of faking the pullout.

The rebel pullback is a first step in implementing a hard-won ceasefire deal reached between Yemen's internationally-recognised government and the Iran-backed <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/yemens-houthis-start-withdrawing-from-ports-in-hodeidah-witness-217771">Houthi rebels</a> late last year.

"Yes, it has begun," said UN spokesman Farhan Haq, when AFP asked whether redeployment of Huthi troops was underway. &nbsp;

Sources close to the Huthis said that the ports were handed over to coastguard personnel who were in charge before the rebels took over almost five years ago.

An AFP photographer at Saleef port saw &nbsp;Huthi troops leave the facility, and men dressed in coastguard uniforms enter, adding that these movements were observed by the UN.

But the governor of Hodeida, Al-Hasan Taher, said the Huthis were merely reshuffling personnel.

"The Huthis are staging a new ploy by handing over the ports of Hodeida, Saleef and Ras Issa to themselves without any monitoring by the United Nations and the government side," the government-appointed official said.

UN envoy "Martin Griffiths wants to achieve victory even if the Huthis hand over (the ports) to themselves," Taher said.

"This is totally rejected by us, and the agreement must be implemented in full, especially with regards to the identity of the troops that will take over from the Huthis," he added.

Hodeida port is the main entry point for the bulk of Yemen's imports and humanitarian aid, serving as a lifeline to millions of civilians pushed to the brink of famine by more than four years of war.

UN to meet

The withdrawal of rebel forces is due to be completed by Tuesday, the head of the UN redeployment committee, General Michael Lollesgaard, said in a statement.

The UN Security Council is due to hear a briefing on Hodeida on Wednesday.

The head of the rebels' Supreme Revolutionary Committee, Mohammed Ali al-Huthi, pledged that fighters would start pulling back at 10:00 am (0700 GMT) in a bid to restart the stalled ceasefire deal with the government.

He accused the government of delaying a parallel pullback from parts of the city of Hodeida that it had pledged to make under a December truce.

"The (rebel) army and committees are withdrawing unilaterally as a result of the refusal of the countries of the US-British-Saudi-Emirati aggression and their allies to implement the accord," the rebel leader said on Twitter.

The agreement last year in Sweden was hailed as a breakthrough that offered the best chance so far of ending the war in Yemen, where a coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates is fighting on the government's side.

But although the fighting has largely stopped, there have been intermittent clashes and the promised redeployment of the warring parties away from the front lines has failed to materialise.

Yemen's information minister demanded joint verification of the promised rebel withdrawal.

"We... warn of attempts by the militia to mislead the international community and the (UN) Security Council before the next meeting," Moammer al-Eryani tweeted.

He said any unilateral redeployment by the rebels without control and joint verification "cannot be accepted."

Untapped grain stocks

Nearly all goods pass through Hodeida and the main storage and distribution centre for imported grain lies in government-held territory on the city's outskirts.

The silos of the Red Sea Mills currently contain some 51,000 tonnes of grain -- enough to feed 3.7 million people for a month -- but it has gone unused since the fighting forced the UN to withdraw its staff in September.

The mills came under renewed fire on Thursday with two silos hit, one of them containing wheat, the UN said.

The military coalition intervened in March 2015 when President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi fled into Saudi exile after the rebels took swathes of the country.

Yemen's conflict has killed tens of thousands of people, many of them civilians, relief agencies say.&nbsp;

The fighting has triggered what the UN describes as the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with 24.1 million -- more than two-thirds of the population -- in need of aid.

The UN confirmed a withdrawal by Yemen's Houthi rebels from three Red Sea ports had begun Saturday, while a senior pro-government official accused the rebels of faking the pullout.

The UN confirmed a withdrawal by Yemen's Houthi rebels from three Red Sea ports had begun Saturday, while a senior pro-government official accused the rebels of faking the pullout. The rebel pullback is a first step in implementing a hard-won ceasefire deal reached between Yemen's internationally-recognised government and the Iran-backed Houthi rebels late last year. "Yes, it has begun," said UN spokesman Farhan Haq, when AFP asked whether redeployment of Huthi troops was underway. Sources close to the Huthis said that the ports were handed over to coastguard personnel who were in charge before the rebels took over almost five years ago. An AFP photographer at Saleef port saw Huthi troops leave the facility, and men dressed in coastguard uniforms enter, adding that these movements were observed by the UN. But the governor of Hodeida, Al-Hasan Taher, said the Huthis were merely reshuffling personnel. "The Huthis are staging a new ploy by handing over the ports of Hodeida, Saleef and Ras Issa to themselves without any monitoring by the United Nations and the government side," the government-appointed official said. UN envoy "Martin Griffiths wants to achieve victory even if the Huthis hand over (the ports) to themselves," Taher said. "This is totally rejected by us, and the agreement must be implemented in full, especially with regards to the identity of the troops that will take over from the Huthis," he added. Hodeida port is the main entry point for the bulk of Yemen's imports and humanitarian aid, serving as a lifeline to millions of civilians pushed to the brink of famine by more than four years of war. UN to meet The withdrawal of rebel forces is due to be completed by Tuesday, the head of the UN redeployment committee, General Michael Lollesgaard, said in a statement. The UN Security Council is due to hear a briefing on Hodeida on Wednesday. The head of the rebels' Supreme Revolutionary Committee, Mohammed Ali al-Huthi, pledged that fighters would start pulling back at 10:00 am (0700 GMT) in a bid to restart the stalled ceasefire deal with the government. He accused the government of delaying a parallel pullback from parts of the city of Hodeida that it had pledged to make under a December truce. "The (rebel) army and committees are withdrawing unilaterally as a result of the refusal of the countries of the US-British-Saudi-Emirati aggression and their allies to implement the accord," the rebel leader said on Twitter. The agreement last year in Sweden was hailed as a breakthrough that offered the best chance so far of ending the war in Yemen, where a coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates is fighting on the government's side. But although the fighting has largely stopped, there have been intermittent clashes and the promised redeployment of the warring parties away from the front lines has failed to materialise. Yemen's information minister demanded joint verification of the promised rebel withdrawal. "We... warn of attempts by the militia to mislead the international community and the (UN) Security Council before the next meeting," Moammer al-Eryani tweeted. He said any unilateral redeployment by the rebels without control and joint verification "cannot be accepted." Untapped grain stocks Nearly all goods pass through Hodeida and the main storage and distribution centre for imported grain lies in government-held territory on the city's outskirts. The silos of the Red Sea Mills currently contain some 51,000 tonnes of grain -- enough to feed 3.7 million people for a month -- but it has gone unused since the fighting forced the UN to withdraw its staff in September. The mills came under renewed fire on Thursday with two silos hit, one of them containing wheat, the UN said. The military coalition intervened in March 2015 when President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi fled into Saudi exile after the rebels took swathes of the country. Yemen's conflict has killed tens of thousands of people, many of them civilians, relief agencies say. The fighting has triggered what the UN describes as the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with 24.1 million -- more than two-thirds of the population -- in need of aid.

United Nations confirms Yemen aid port withdrawal underway

A Saudi-led coalition launched several air strikes on the Houthi-held capital Sanaa overnight, stoking tensions among Yemen's warring parties as the United Nations struggles to implement a peace deal reached last month.

Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television said coalition warplanes attacked several military targets, including al-Dulaimi Air Base, a drones operations network and military training camps.

Houthi-run al-Masirah TV said on Sunday that the Western-backed coalition had conducted 24 air strikes on Sanaa since Saturday evening, including four on the air base. It said non-military targets such as a plastics factory were hit.

There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

The escalation in fighting, which follows a deadly Houthi drone attack last week on a Yemeni government military parade, raises doubts about holding a second round of U.N.-sponsored talks this month aimed at ending the nearly four-year war that has killed tens of thousands of people.

The war pits the Iranian-aligned Houthi movement against the Saudi-backed government of Abd-Rabu Mansour Hadi, which was ousted from Sanaa in 2014, prompting the Sunni Muslim coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to intervene.

The United Nations is trying to implement a ceasefire and troop withdrawal agreement in the main port city of Hodeidah, a lifeline for millions of Yemenis facing severe hunger.

The deal was reached at U.N.-sponsored talks in Sweden last month, the first significant breakthrough in peace efforts in five years, to avert a full-scale assault on the port, the main entry point for the bulk of Yemen's commercial imports and aid.

The truce has largely held in Hodeidah, controlled by the Houthis with thousands of coalition-backed forces massed on the outskirts. But the withdrawal of forces by both sides has stalled over disagreement on who would control the Red Sea city.

Western nations, including some which supply the coalition with arms and intelligence, have pressed Riyadh and Abu Dhabi to end the conflict that has pushed Yemen to the brink of famine.

Rights groups have criticised the coalition for air strikes that have killed thousands of civilians at hospitals, schools and markets since 2015. They also criticise the Houthis for missile attacks on Saudi cities, including the capital Riyadh.

The conflict is largely seen in the region as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Shi'ite Muslim Iran. The Houthis deny receiving any help from Iran and say their revolution is against corruption.

Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television said coalition warplanes attacked several military targets, including al-Dulaimi Air Base, a drones operations network and military training camps.

A Saudi-led coalition launched several air strikes on the Houthi-held capital Sanaa overnight, stoking tensions among Yemen's warring parties as the United Nations struggles to implement a peace deal reached last month. Saudi-owned Al Arabiya television said coalition warplanes attacked several military targets, including al-Dulaimi Air Base, a drones operations network and military training camps. Houthi-run al-Masirah TV said on Sunday that the Western-backed coalition had conducted 24 air strikes on Sanaa since Saturday evening, including four on the air base. It said non-military targets such as a plastics factory were hit. There were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. The escalation in fighting, which follows a deadly Houthi drone attack last week on a Yemeni government military parade, raises doubts about holding a second round of U.N.-sponsored talks this month aimed at ending the nearly four-year war that has killed tens of thousands of people. The war pits the Iranian-aligned Houthi movement against the Saudi-backed government of Abd-Rabu Mansour Hadi, which was ousted from Sanaa in 2014, prompting the Sunni Muslim coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to intervene. The United Nations is trying to implement a ceasefire and troop withdrawal agreement in the main port city of Hodeidah, a lifeline for millions of Yemenis facing severe hunger. The deal was reached at U.N.-sponsored talks in Sweden last month, the first significant breakthrough in peace efforts in five years, to avert a full-scale assault on the port, the main entry point for the bulk of Yemen's commercial imports and aid. The truce has largely held in Hodeidah, controlled by the Houthis with thousands of coalition-backed forces massed on the outskirts. But the withdrawal of forces by both sides has stalled over disagreement on who would control the Red Sea city. Western nations, including some which supply the coalition with arms and intelligence, have pressed Riyadh and Abu Dhabi to end the conflict that has pushed Yemen to the brink of famine. Rights groups have criticised the coalition for air strikes that have killed thousands of civilians at hospitals, schools and markets since 2015. They also criticise the Houthis for missile attacks on Saudi cities, including the capital Riyadh. The conflict is largely seen in the region as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Shi'ite Muslim Iran. The Houthis deny receiving any help from Iran and say their revolution is against corruption.

Saudi-led coalition launches air strikes on Yemen capital

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has called for an end to the fighting in Yemen.&nbsp;

Pompeo said missile strikes by the Iran-allied Houthi rebels against Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates should stop, and that the Saudi-led coalition must stop air strikes in all populated areas.&nbsp;

Pompeo added that UN-led negotiations to bring the civil war to an end should begin next month.&nbsp;

Pompeo's call was earlier voiced by US Secretary of Defence Jim Mattis even as the Saudi-led military coalition sent more than 10,000 new troops toward a vital rebel-held port city ahead of a new assault.

Mattis said the US had been watching the conflict "for long enough", adding that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which are in a US-backed coalition fighting Shiite Huthi rebels, are ready for talks.

"We have got to move toward a peace effort here, and we can't say we are going to do it some time in the future," Mattis said at the US Institute of Peace in Washington.&nbsp;

"We need to be doing this in the next 30 days."

He said the US is calling for all warring parties to meet with United Nations special envoy Martin Griffiths in Sweden in November and "come to a solution."

US-Saudi ties have cooled in recent weeks after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a prominent critic of the conservative kingdom, that has also tarnished the image of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

Saudi Arabia and its allies intervened in the conflict between embattled Yemeni President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, whose government is recognised by the United Nations, and the Huthis in 2015.

Nearly 10,000 people have since been killed and the country now stands at the brink of famine, with more than 22 million Yemenis — three-quarters of the population — in need of humanitarian assistance.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has called for an end to the fighting in Yemen. Pompeo said missile strikes by the Iran-allied Houthi rebels against Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates should stop, and that the Saudi-led coalition must stop air strikes in all populated areas.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has called for an end to the fighting in Yemen. Pompeo said missile strikes by the Iran-allied Houthi rebels against Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates should stop, and that the Saudi-led coalition must stop air strikes in all populated areas. Pompeo added that UN-led negotiations to bring the civil war to an end should begin next month. Pompeo's call was earlier voiced by US Secretary of Defence Jim Mattis even as the Saudi-led military coalition sent more than 10,000 new troops toward a vital rebel-held port city ahead of a new assault. Mattis said the US had been watching the conflict "for long enough", adding that Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which are in a US-backed coalition fighting Shiite Huthi rebels, are ready for talks. "We have got to move toward a peace effort here, and we can't say we are going to do it some time in the future," Mattis said at the US Institute of Peace in Washington. "We need to be doing this in the next 30 days." He said the US is calling for all warring parties to meet with United Nations special envoy Martin Griffiths in Sweden in November and "come to a solution." US-Saudi ties have cooled in recent weeks after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, a prominent critic of the conservative kingdom, that has also tarnished the image of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Saudi Arabia and its allies intervened in the conflict between embattled Yemeni President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, whose government is recognised by the United Nations, and the Huthis in 2015. Nearly 10,000 people have since been killed and the country now stands at the brink of famine, with more than 22 million Yemenis — three-quarters of the population — in need of humanitarian assistance. (With inputs from agencies)

After Khashoggi killing, US calls for end to fighting in Yemen

The UN Security Council will travel to Washington on Monday to inspect debris from missiles allegedly provided by Iran to Yemen&#39;s Huthi rebels and hold meetings at the White House, diplomats said.

The ambassadors are expected to meet with President Donald Trump as the US administration seeks international action against Iran, diplomats said.

US Ambassador Nikki Haley last month presented the fragments as &quot;undeniable&quot; evidence that a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-intercepts-yemen-rebel-missile-over-riyadh-state-media-27194" target="_blank">ballistic missile fired by Yemen&#39;s Huthi rebels at Saudi Arabia</a> in November was Iranian-made.

That claim was bolstered when a UN panel of experts concluded in a recent report to the council that Iran had violated the arms embargo on Yemen by failing to block supplies of missiles to the rebels.

Haley has invited her UN counterparts to see the missile debris stored in a warehouse at a Washington military base.&nbsp;

&quot;The evidence is undeniable. The weapons might as well have had &#39;Made in Iran&#39; stickers all over it,&quot; Haley told a press conference last month.

The &quot;evidence&quot; stored in Washington includes other pieces of military material allegedly provided by Iran including fragments of an anti-tank missile and drones.

Iran has strongly denied arming the Huthis and last month accused Haley of presenting &quot;fabricated&quot; evidence that the November 4 missile fired at Riyadh airport was Iranian-made.

Haley is seeking to persuade the Security Council to take action against Iran, possibly by imposing sanctions, but will likely face opposition from Russia, which has friendly ties with Tehran.

A separate report last month said UN officials had examined the missile fragments and found that they were of &quot;common origin&quot; but they were unable to reach any firm conclusions about whether Iran was the source.

The US mission did not immediately respond to a request for information about the council visit to Washington.

It will be the second time that the top UN envoys meet with Trump, who sat down for a lunch meeting with the ambassadors in April last year.

Relations between the United Nations and the US administration have been strained over Trump&#39;s decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel&#39;s capital, his threats to scrap the Iran nuclear deal and funding cuts.

The council voted 14-1 to reject Trump&#39;s Jerusalem decision, prompting Haley to resort to the US veto to block the condemnation.

The General Assembly later approved by a vote of 128 to 9, with 35 abstentions, the same resolution.

The ambassadors are expected to meet with President Donald Trump as the US administration seeks international action against Iran

The UN Security Council will travel to Washington on Monday to inspect debris from missiles allegedly provided by Iran to Yemen's Huthi rebels and hold meetings at the White House, diplomats said. The ambassadors are expected to meet with President Donald Trump as the US administration seeks international action against Iran, diplomats said. US Ambassador Nikki Haley last month presented the fragments as "undeniable" evidence that a ballistic missile fired by Yemen's Huthi rebels at Saudi Arabia in November was Iranian-made. That claim was bolstered when a UN panel of experts concluded in a recent report to the council that Iran had violated the arms embargo on Yemen by failing to block supplies of missiles to the rebels. Haley has invited her UN counterparts to see the missile debris stored in a warehouse at a Washington military base. "The evidence is undeniable. The weapons might as well have had 'Made in Iran' stickers all over it," Haley told a press conference last month. The "evidence" stored in Washington includes other pieces of military material allegedly provided by Iran including fragments of an anti-tank missile and drones. Iran has strongly denied arming the Huthis and last month accused Haley of presenting "fabricated" evidence that the November 4 missile fired at Riyadh airport was Iranian-made. Haley is seeking to persuade the Security Council to take action against Iran, possibly by imposing sanctions, but will likely face opposition from Russia, which has friendly ties with Tehran. A separate report last month said UN officials had examined the missile fragments and found that they were of "common origin" but they were unable to reach any firm conclusions about whether Iran was the source. The US mission did not immediately respond to a request for information about the council visit to Washington. It will be the second time that the top UN envoys meet with Trump, who sat down for a lunch meeting with the ambassadors in April last year. Relations between the United Nations and the US administration have been strained over Trump's decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital, his threats to scrap the Iran nuclear deal and funding cuts. The council voted 14-1 to reject Trump's Jerusalem decision, prompting Haley to resort to the US veto to block the condemnation. The General Assembly later approved by a vote of 128 to 9, with 35 abstentions, the same resolution.

UN Security Council to inspect 'Iranian-made' missile debris

The death toll from a major cholera outbreak in Yemen has risen to 1,500, Nevio Zagaria, the World Health Organization&#39;s (WHO) representative in Yemen, said on Saturday, and appealed for more help to put an end to the epidemic.

Yemen has been devastated by a 27-month war between a Saudi-led coalition and the armed Iran-aligned Houthi group, making it a breeding ground for the disease, which spreads by faeces getting into food or water and thrives in places with poor sanitation.

Speaking at a joint news conference with representatives of the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and the World Bank, Zagaria said that had been some 246,000 suspected cases in the period to June 30.

The WHO said this week that the outbreak had reached the halfway mark at 218,798 cases as a massive emergency response has begun to curb its spread two months into the epidemic.

Although most of Yemen&#39;s health infrastructure has broken down and health workers have not been paid for more than six months, the WHO is paying &quot;incentives&quot; to doctors, nurses, cleaners and paramedics to staff an emergency cholera network.

With funding help from the World Bank, the WHO is setting up treatment centres with 50-60 beds each, overseen by shifts of about 14 staff working around the clock. The aim is to reach 5,000 beds in total.

Yemen has been devastated by a 27-month war between a Saudi-led coalition, making it a breeding ground for the disease

The death toll from a major cholera outbreak in Yemen has risen to 1,500, Nevio Zagaria, the World Health Organization's (WHO) representative in Yemen, said on Saturday, and appealed for more help to put an end to the epidemic. Yemen has been devastated by a 27-month war between a Saudi-led coalition and the armed Iran-aligned Houthi group, making it a breeding ground for the disease, which spreads by faeces getting into food or water and thrives in places with poor sanitation. Speaking at a joint news conference with representatives of the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) and the World Bank, Zagaria said that had been some 246,000 suspected cases in the period to June 30. The WHO said this week that the outbreak had reached the halfway mark at 218,798 cases as a massive emergency response has begun to curb its spread two months into the epidemic. Although most of Yemen's health infrastructure has broken down and health workers have not been paid for more than six months, the WHO is paying "incentives" to doctors, nurses, cleaners and paramedics to staff an emergency cholera network. With funding help from the World Bank, the WHO is setting up treatment centres with 50-60 beds each, overseen by shifts of about 14 staff working around the clock. The aim is to reach 5,000 beds in total.

Yemen's cholera death toll rises to 1,500: WHO

Rockets fired by Yemeni rebels into Saudi Arabia on Monday damaged a United Nations office in the kingdom&#39;s southern Asir region, Saudi-owned Al Arabiya TV reported.

The glass entrance of the UN building in Dhahran al-Janoub province, along the border with Yemen, was damaged by a Katyusha rocket launched by the Iran-allied Houthi group who control Yemen&#39;s capital, Al-Arabiya reported, citing its correspondent.

There was no immediate comment from the UN or the Houthis.

Saudi Arabia and its Gulf Arab allies have launched thousands of bombing raids in Yemen since March 2015 in a military campaign to support the country&#39;s exiled government.

Several dozen Saudi soldiers have been killed in clashes along the long, rugged border with Yemen. 
 
(Reuters)

Saudi Arabia and its Gulf Arab allies have launched thousands of bombing raids in Yemen since March 2015 in a military campaign to support the country's exiled government

Rockets fired by Yemeni rebels into Saudi Arabia on Monday damaged a United Nations office in the kingdom's southern Asir region, Saudi-owned Al Arabiya TV reported. The glass entrance of the UN building in Dhahran al-Janoub province, along the border with Yemen, was damaged by a Katyusha rocket launched by the Iran-allied Houthi group who control Yemen's capital, Al-Arabiya reported, citing its correspondent. There was no immediate comment from the UN or the Houthis. Saudi Arabia and its Gulf Arab allies have launched thousands of bombing raids in Yemen since March 2015 in a military campaign to support the country's exiled government. Several dozen Saudi soldiers have been killed in clashes along the long, rugged border with Yemen. (Reuters)

UN office in Saudi Arabia reportedly hit by Yemen rockets

Yemeni government forces captured on Monday the port of Mokha as they pushed to oust Houthi rebels from the Red Sea coastline, an AFP journalist said. 
 
An official statement said government forces recaptured the whole city, but a military commander in the field told AFP that loyalists were still fighting the rebels on the southern outskirts of Mokha.

Government forces were combing the port, a journalist accompanying the troops said, almost three weeks after the loyalists launched an offensive against the Shiite insurgents and their allies on Yemen&#39;s southwestern coast.

Forces loyal to President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi launched a vast offensive on January 7 to retake the Dhubab district overlooking the Bab al-Mandab strait, a key maritime route connecting the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.

Warplanes and Apache attack helicopters from a Saudi-led coalition have been pounding the rebels in support of pro-Hadi forces, military sources said

(AFP) 
&nbsp;

Yemen government forces are pushing to oust Houthi rebels from the Red Sea coastline

Yemeni government forces captured on Monday the port of Mokha as they pushed to oust Houthi rebels from the Red Sea coastline, an AFP journalist said. An official statement said government forces recaptured the whole city, but a military commander in the field told AFP that loyalists were still fighting the rebels on the southern outskirts of Mokha. Government forces were combing the port, a journalist accompanying the troops said, almost three weeks after the loyalists launched an offensive against the Shiite insurgents and their allies on Yemen's southwestern coast. Forces loyal to President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi launched a vast offensive on January 7 to retake the Dhubab district overlooking the Bab al-Mandab strait, a key maritime route connecting the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. Warplanes and Apache attack helicopters from a Saudi-led coalition have been pounding the rebels in support of pro-Hadi forces, military sources said (AFP)

Yemen government claims to have seized Red Sea port of Mokha

Air strikes and heavy clashes between rebel and pro-government forces in&nbsp;Yemen&nbsp;had killed at least 66 people in 24 hours, medics and security sources said Sunday.

Air raids by a Saudi-led coalition and fighting near the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait killed at least 52 fighters among Shiite Huthi rebels and allied troops loyal to ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh, the sources said.&nbsp;

Fourteen members of pro-government forces were also killed.

The rebels took their dead to a military hospital in Hodeida, a major western port city they control, a medical source told AFP.

The hospital received 14 dead on Saturday and 38 on Sunday, as well as 55 wounded rebels, the source said.

On the pro-government side, 14 soldiers were killed and 22 wounded, according to medics in the southern port city of Aden where President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi&#39;s government is based.

Coalition warplanes and Apache attack helicopters have been pounding rebels for several days in support of pro-Hadi forces attempting to retake the Red Sea city of Mokha, military sources said.&nbsp;

Pro-Hadi forces launched the vast offensive on January 7 to retake the region overlooking the Bab al-Mandab strait, a key maritime route connecting the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean.

By Sunday, loyalist forces were within 10 kilometres (six miles) of Mokha, they said, but the offensive has been slowed by mines laid by rebel forces.

(AFP)

Coalition warplanes and Apache attack helicopters have been pounding rebels for several days in support of pro-Hadi forces

Air strikes and heavy clashes between rebel and pro-government forces in Yemen had killed at least 66 people in 24 hours, medics and security sources said Sunday. Air raids by a Saudi-led coalition and fighting near the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait killed at least 52 fighters among Shiite Huthi rebels and allied troops loyal to ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh, the sources said. Fourteen members of pro-government forces were also killed. The rebels took their dead to a military hospital in Hodeida, a major western port city they control, a medical source told AFP. The hospital received 14 dead on Saturday and 38 on Sunday, as well as 55 wounded rebels, the source said. On the pro-government side, 14 soldiers were killed and 22 wounded, according to medics in the southern port city of Aden where President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi's government is based. Coalition warplanes and Apache attack helicopters have been pounding rebels for several days in support of pro-Hadi forces attempting to retake the Red Sea city of Mokha, military sources said. Pro-Hadi forces launched the vast offensive on January 7 to retake the region overlooking the Bab al-Mandab strait, a key maritime route connecting the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean. By Sunday, loyalist forces were within 10 kilometres (six miles) of Mokha, they said, but the offensive has been slowed by mines laid by rebel forces. (AFP)

Nearly 70 killed in Yemen air strikes, clashes in last 24 hours

Eleven civilians, including five members of one family, and 14 Houthi rebels have been killed in shelling and air strikes in Yemen in two days, military and rebel sources said Monday.

An air strike by the pro-government Saudi-led coalition killed five Shiite rebels on Monday when it targeted a convoy of three vehicles in Marees, in the southern province of Daleh, a military official said.

One of the vehicles was transporting weapons, the official said, adding three other rebels were wounded in the strike.

Six other insurgents were killed in a similar raid on two vehicles in Al-Makhdara, in the central province of Marib, another military official said.

Shelling by government forces killed three more rebels in the same area of Marib, east of the rebel-held capital Sanaa.

The Arab coalition started an air campaign against the Iran-backed rebels in March 2015 after the insurgents closed in on President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi in his refuge in the southern city of Aden.

Rebel media accused the coalition of conducting air strikes on Monday across several regions in Yemen, killing two civilians in the western province of Hodeida.

A military official told AFP an air strike on Sunday hit a house in Marib, killing five members of the same family.&nbsp;

It took place in the village of Wadi Habab, in the Sarwah region, a major front in the war between the rebels and forces loyal to Hadi, the insurgents&#39;&nbsp;news website sabanews.net said.

Meanwhile, four civilians, including three children, were killed on Sunday in rebel bombing that targeted residential areas in the southwestern city of Taez, a local official and medical sources said.

The Yemen conflict has killed more than 7,000 people since the coalition intervened, according to the United Nations.&nbsp;

(AFP)

The Arab coalition started an air campaign against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels in March 2015

Eleven civilians, including five members of one family, and 14 Houthi rebels have been killed in shelling and air strikes in Yemen in two days, military and rebel sources said Monday. An air strike by the pro-government Saudi-led coalition killed five Shiite rebels on Monday when it targeted a convoy of three vehicles in Marees, in the southern province of Daleh, a military official said. One of the vehicles was transporting weapons, the official said, adding three other rebels were wounded in the strike. Six other insurgents were killed in a similar raid on two vehicles in Al-Makhdara, in the central province of Marib, another military official said. Shelling by government forces killed three more rebels in the same area of Marib, east of the rebel-held capital Sanaa. The Arab coalition started an air campaign against the Iran-backed rebels in March 2015 after the insurgents closed in on President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi in his refuge in the southern city of Aden. Rebel media accused the coalition of conducting air strikes on Monday across several regions in Yemen, killing two civilians in the western province of Hodeida. A military official told AFP an air strike on Sunday hit a house in Marib, killing five members of the same family. It took place in the village of Wadi Habab, in the Sarwah region, a major front in the war between the rebels and forces loyal to Hadi, the insurgents' news website sabanews.net said. Meanwhile, four civilians, including three children, were killed on Sunday in rebel bombing that targeted residential areas in the southwestern city of Taez, a local official and medical sources said. The Yemen conflict has killed more than 7,000 people since the coalition intervened, according to the United Nations. (AFP)

Yemen: Bombing, airstrikes kill 25 including Houthi rebels

Twelve Yemeni civilians were killed by a Saudi-led air strike in the Houthi-controlled Hiran area of the country&#39;s Hajja province.

Reuters quoted residents as saying that the civilians were hit while on their way to a local market in a pickup truck.

The coalition says it does not target civilians, Reuters reported.

A Saudi-led coalition has been fighting Yemen&#39;s Houthis since March 2015 to restore the internationally recognised president, Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who lives in exile in Saudi Arabia.

Thousands of air strikes targeted at the Houthis have hit schools, markets, hospitals and homes, killing many civilians. They have mostly failed to dislodge the rebels from the capital, Sanaa.

Rights groups say they may amount to war crimes, but the coalition has argued that the Houthi fighters infiltrate and endanger civilian areas, Reuters reported.

A 48-hour ceasefire between the two factions ended on Monday, with both sides blaming each other for hundreds of violations.

At least 10,000 people have been killed in the 20-month conflict, unleashing a humanitarian crisis on one of the Arab world&#39;s poorest countries.

(WION with inputs from Reuters)

 
&nbsp;

The coalition has been fighting Yemen's Houthis since March 2015 to restore the internationally recognised president, Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi

Twelve Yemeni civilians were killed by a Saudi-led air strike in the Houthi-controlled Hiran area of the country's Hajja province. Reuters quoted residents as saying that the civilians were hit while on their way to a local market in a pickup truck. The coalition says it does not target civilians, Reuters reported. A Saudi-led coalition has been fighting Yemen's Houthis since March 2015 to restore the internationally recognised president, Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who lives in exile in Saudi Arabia. Thousands of air strikes targeted at the Houthis have hit schools, markets, hospitals and homes, killing many civilians. They have mostly failed to dislodge the rebels from the capital, Sanaa. Rights groups say they may amount to war crimes, but the coalition has argued that the Houthi fighters infiltrate and endanger civilian areas, Reuters reported. A 48-hour ceasefire between the two factions ended on Monday, with both sides blaming each other for hundreds of violations. At least 10,000 people have been killed in the 20-month conflict, unleashing a humanitarian crisis on one of the Arab world's poorest countries. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Yemen: 12 civilians killed in Saudi-led air strike

The United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen appealed to renew the 72-hour ceasefire in the country, while battle rages on between the Houthi rebels and the government forces.&nbsp;

The 72-hour ceasefire had been imposed on Wednesday night and ended on Saturday. The temporary truce was called in to allow aid to be sent to the war-torn country.&nbsp;

Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, the UN special envoy wrote on his facebook page, saying &quot;With the 72-hour Cessation of Hostilities in Yemen coming to an end, the United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed urges all parties to agree to its extension for at least another renewable 72 hours&quot;.

&quot;We noted over the last days that food and humanitarian supplies were provided to several affected neighborhoods and that UN personnel were able to reach areas that were previously inaccessible. We would like to build on this and we aim for a wider outreach in the next few days,&quot; he added.

He also tweeted, urging regional and the international community to cease all hostilities.&nbsp;

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???? ???? ??????? ??????? ?????????? ???????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ?????? ???? ??????? ???????? ??? ???? ??? ????? ????? ?????? ?? ?????
&mdash; UN Envoy to Yemen (@OSESGY) <a href="https://twitter.com/OSESGY/status/788143282593423360">October 17, 2016</a></blockquote>
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(Translation:&nbsp;I call upon all the parties and the regional and international community to promote the full respect of the cessation of hostilities even lead to a permanent end to the conflict in Yemen.)

The ceasefire held on despite repeated violations from both sides. According to military officials, the fighting between the two groups has been going on for the past two days.&nbsp;

The UN envoy on Friday said he was trying to collaborate with both groups &quot;to create a conducive environment for a long-lasting peace&quot; in Yemen.

Late on Friday, he met with Yemen&#39;s vice president Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar in Riyadh, AFP reported.&nbsp;

Ahmar accused the rebels of committing 449 violations within 24-hours of the ceasefire taking place and asserted that the government forces were &quot;exercising restraint&quot; and they were asked to &quot;abide by the truce and respect UN efforts&quot;.

However, the Houthi rebel-controlled media slammed the Saudi-led coalition forces for shelling across the country.&nbsp;

This is the sixth ceasefire attempt since March 2015, when the Saudi-led forces began fighting Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi&#39;s rebels. The conflict has left nearly 6,900 dead and about three million displaced and in need of aid.&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from AFP)

Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed said he will cooperate with both groups 'to create a conducive environment for a long-lasting peace' in Yemen

The United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen appealed to renew the 72-hour ceasefire in the country, while battle rages on between the Houthi rebels and the government forces. The 72-hour ceasefire had been imposed on Wednesday night and ended on Saturday. The temporary truce was called in to allow aid to be sent to the war-torn country. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, the UN special envoy wrote on his facebook page, saying "With the 72-hour Cessation of Hostilities in Yemen coming to an end, the United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed urges all parties to agree to its extension for at least another renewable 72 hours". "We noted over the last days that food and humanitarian supplies were provided to several affected neighborhoods and that UN personnel were able to reach areas that were previously inaccessible. We would like to build on this and we aim for a wider outreach in the next few days," he added. He also tweeted, urging regional and the international community to cease all hostilities. ???? ???? ??????? ??????? ?????????? ???????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ?????? ???? ??????? ???????? ??? ???? ??? ????? ????? ?????? ?? ????? — UN Envoy to Yemen (@OSESGY) October 17, 2016 × (Translation: I call upon all the parties and the regional and international community to promote the full respect of the cessation of hostilities even lead to a permanent end to the conflict in Yemen.) The ceasefire held on despite repeated violations from both sides. According to military officials, the fighting between the two groups has been going on for the past two days. The UN envoy on Friday said he was trying to collaborate with both groups "to create a conducive environment for a long-lasting peace" in Yemen. Late on Friday, he met with Yemen's vice president Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar in Riyadh, AFP reported. Ahmar accused the rebels of committing 449 violations within 24-hours of the ceasefire taking place and asserted that the government forces were "exercising restraint" and they were asked to "abide by the truce and respect UN efforts". However, the Houthi rebel-controlled media slammed the Saudi-led coalition forces for shelling across the country. This is the sixth ceasefire attempt since March 2015, when the Saudi-led forces began fighting Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi's rebels. The conflict has left nearly 6,900 dead and about three million displaced and in need of aid. (WION with inputs from AFP)

UN envoy for Yemen appeals for ceasefire renewal

Saudi Arabia&#39;s Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir accused Yemen&#39;s Huthi rebels of stepping up their attacks Thursday and of putting in danger a day-old UN-mandated ceasefire.

Jubeir told reporters in Washington that Saudi Arabia reserves the right to defend itself from further the Houthi attacks, but stopped short of declaring the truce a failure.

&quot;As of this morning Washington time there had been more than 150 violations by the Huthi-Saleh side,&quot; Jubeir said, referring to the rebels and forces loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Sitting with US Secretary of State John Kerry after talks at the State Department, Jubeir called the alleged Huthi attacks an &quot;escalation in the violence, rather than a reduction.&quot;

And he accused the Huthis of launching a missile across the border into Saudi territory and killing a man and his daughter.

Kerry condemned the cross-border attack, but was keen to insist that his guest confirm that the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen still intends to respect the ceasefire.

&quot;If I can just interrupt,&quot; Kerry interjected as Jubeir finished his remarks.

&quot;It is clear that Saudi Arabia is still committed to the ceasefire and as far as you&#39;re concerned the ceasefire is still in effect. Is that correct?&quot;

Jubeir responded that the kingdom has indicated that it supports Yemeni President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi&#39;s call for a truce.

&quot;The coalition countries are abiding by this,&quot; he said.

&quot;But I want to emphasize that we have a right to defend ourselves, we have a right to protect our borders, we have a right to protect our citizens and we have to ensure that the other side maintains its commitment to the cessation of hostilities.&quot; 
 
(AFP)

Saudi Arabia's foreign minister said more than 150 ceasefire violations had taken place

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir accused Yemen's Huthi rebels of stepping up their attacks Thursday and of putting in danger a day-old UN-mandated ceasefire. Jubeir told reporters in Washington that Saudi Arabia reserves the right to defend itself from further the Houthi attacks, but stopped short of declaring the truce a failure. "As of this morning Washington time there had been more than 150 violations by the Huthi-Saleh side," Jubeir said, referring to the rebels and forces loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh. Sitting with US Secretary of State John Kerry after talks at the State Department, Jubeir called the alleged Huthi attacks an "escalation in the violence, rather than a reduction." And he accused the Huthis of launching a missile across the border into Saudi territory and killing a man and his daughter. Kerry condemned the cross-border attack, but was keen to insist that his guest confirm that the Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen still intends to respect the ceasefire. "If I can just interrupt," Kerry interjected as Jubeir finished his remarks. "It is clear that Saudi Arabia is still committed to the ceasefire and as far as you're concerned the ceasefire is still in effect. Is that correct?" Jubeir responded that the kingdom has indicated that it supports Yemeni President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi's call for a truce. "The coalition countries are abiding by this," he said. "But I want to emphasize that we have a right to defend ourselves, we have a right to protect our borders, we have a right to protect our citizens and we have to ensure that the other side maintains its commitment to the cessation of hostilities." (AFP)

Saudi Arabia accuses Yemen rebels of breaching ceasefire

A 72-hour ceasefire in Yemen between the government and the Houthi-rebels will go into effect from Thursday, the United Nations announced on Monday.

A cessation of hostilities that first went into effect in April &quot;will re-enter into force at 23:59 Yemen time (2059 GMT) on 19 October 2016, for an initial period of 72 hours, subject to renewal,&quot; the UN&#39;s special envoy for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, said in a statement, the AFP reported.

Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed said he had received assurances from all Yemeni parties for the truce, the BBC reported.

The announcement comes after Yemen&#39;s President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi agreed to the ceasefire in a statement earlier on Monday, urged by the United States, Britain and UN&#39;s peace envoy to Yemen.

&quot;The President agreed to a 72 hrs ceasefire to be extended if the other party adheres to it, activates a truce observing committee and ends the siege of third-city Taez,&quot; Yemen&#39;s foreign minister Abdulmalek al-Mekhlafi had tweeted earlier.

Saudi Arabia&#39;s Foreign Minister Adel Jubeir told Al-Arabiya news channel that his country was agreeable to the ceasefire. The Saudi Arabia-led coalition of Arab countries backs Yemen&#39;s president.

Saudi Arabia&#39;s impoverished neighbour has been engulfed in a deadly civil war after the pro-Iran Houthi rebels overran the capital Sanaa in 2014. The conflict escalated in 2015 after the Arab coalition launched a bombing campaign against the Shiite Huthi rebels and their allies.

The coalition has carried out hundreds of air strikes and provided ground troops to support Hadi&#39;s forces. But has failed to dislodge the Huthi rebels, who are allied with forces loyal to ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Almost 6,900 people have been killed, more than 35,000 wounded and at least three million displaced in the conflict since March last year, the UN has estimated.

The ceasefire comes after Sunday&#39;s meeting in London between US Secretary of State John Kerry, the UN envoy and his counterparts from Britain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE to discuss the Yemen conflict.

Previous attempts to enforce a ceasefire in the country had failed. The situation aggravated in August after a round of peace talks in Kuwait ended without a breakthrough. The Saudi-led coalition stepped up its air raids and cross-border attacks from Yemen also intensified, AFP reported.

The previous ceasefire, announced at the beginning of the Kuwait talks, was hardly observed with both sides blaming each other for violating the truce.

The rebels still control large parts of the north, their historic stronghold areas, and other regions of western and central Yemen. The country&#39;s third-largest city, Taez, is almost completely surrounded by the Houthis

Taez, the country&#39;s third city, is almost completely surrounded by the Houthis and their allies. Loyalist forces have for months tried to break the rebel grip on the southwestern city but to no avail.

(WION with inputs from AFP) 
&nbsp;

Yemeni President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi says he is ready for a ceasefire 'if the other party adheres to it'

A 72-hour ceasefire in Yemen between the government and the Houthi-rebels will go into effect from Thursday, the United Nations announced on Monday. A cessation of hostilities that first went into effect in April "will re-enter into force at 23:59 Yemen time (2059 GMT) on 19 October 2016, for an initial period of 72 hours, subject to renewal," the UN's special envoy for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, said in a statement, the AFP reported. Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed said he had received assurances from all Yemeni parties for the truce, the BBC reported. The announcement comes after Yemen's President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi agreed to the ceasefire in a statement earlier on Monday, urged by the United States, Britain and UN's peace envoy to Yemen. "The President agreed to a 72 hrs ceasefire to be extended if the other party adheres to it, activates a truce observing committee and ends the siege of third-city Taez," Yemen's foreign minister Abdulmalek al-Mekhlafi had tweeted earlier. Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Adel Jubeir told Al-Arabiya news channel that his country was agreeable to the ceasefire. The Saudi Arabia-led coalition of Arab countries backs Yemen's president. Saudi Arabia's impoverished neighbour has been engulfed in a deadly civil war after the pro-Iran Houthi rebels overran the capital Sanaa in 2014. The conflict escalated in 2015 after the Arab coalition launched a bombing campaign against the Shiite Huthi rebels and their allies. The coalition has carried out hundreds of air strikes and provided ground troops to support Hadi's forces. But has failed to dislodge the Huthi rebels, who are allied with forces loyal to ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh. Almost 6,900 people have been killed, more than 35,000 wounded and at least three million displaced in the conflict since March last year, the UN has estimated. The ceasefire comes after Sunday's meeting in London between US Secretary of State John Kerry, the UN envoy and his counterparts from Britain, Saudi Arabia and the UAE to discuss the Yemen conflict. Previous attempts to enforce a ceasefire in the country had failed. The situation aggravated in August after a round of peace talks in Kuwait ended without a breakthrough. The Saudi-led coalition stepped up its air raids and cross-border attacks from Yemen also intensified, AFP reported. The previous ceasefire, announced at the beginning of the Kuwait talks, was hardly observed with both sides blaming each other for violating the truce. The rebels still control large parts of the north, their historic stronghold areas, and other regions of western and central Yemen. The country's third-largest city, Taez, is almost completely surrounded by the Houthis Taez, the country's third city, is almost completely surrounded by the Houthis and their allies. Loyalist forces have for months tried to break the rebel grip on the southwestern city but to no avail. (WION with inputs from AFP)

UN announces 72-hour truce for war-ravaged Yemen

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