LONDON: Yemen’s Foreign Minister Khalid Al-Yamani said that the Saudi-led coalition and Yemeni government’s diplomatic efforts have convinced states that previously had reservations about the military operation in Hodeidah of the importance of liberating the port city.
“During the last few days, we explained to the international community about the importance of recapturing the port of Hodeidah to protect international security and water passages from Houthi militias which are using the port to smuggle arms from Iran, launch missiles on civilian ships and plant cluster bombs in the area south of the Red Sea,” Al-Yamani told Asharq Al-Awsat on Friday.
Yamani further explained that the states, which had previously expressed reservations, now understand the measures taken by the Yemeni government and the Saudi-led Coalition to liberate the port city and stop Houthi threats to international navigation and the delivery of humanitarian aid.
“The international community is now conscious about the need to liberate territories in the western coastline and the withdrawal of militias from Hodeidah,” he said.
Some states had expressed fears that the Hodeidah offensive would trigger a humanitarian crisis in the city, the minister told Asharq Al-Awsat.
“But we have asserted that military operations … are happening in tandem with relief efforts to help the city’s residents,” he said.
The foreign minister also said that there were no reports of a humanitarian crisis in the strategic port city eight days into the operation to liberate it.
“The Yemeni Army has already called on residents to stay away from areas controlled by militias,” stated Al-Yamani.
Saba news agency reported that Al-Yamani received a telephone call Friday from Alistair Burt, the Minister of State for the Middle East at the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
They discussed the latest developments in Yemen and humanitarian aid to Hodeidah, according to Saba.
Al-Yamani stressed that Houthi control of Hodeidah threatens the security and stability of countries in the Middle East, and the world in general. He said that “it is no longer possible to remain silent about Houthi threats to navigation in Bab Al-Mandab and the Red Sea.”
The two ministers also confirmed their support of efforts exerted by the UN Envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffith, for a peaceful solution in Hodeidah, hoping that he will convince the militias to hand over the city and its port to Yemen’s government.
Yemeni FM: International community understands importance of liberating Hodeidah
Yemeni FM: International community understands importance of liberating Hodeidah
- Khalid Al-Yamani : The international community is now conscious about the need to liberate territories in the western coastline and the withdrawal of militias from Hodeidah
- Al-Yamani stressed that Houthi control of Hodeidah threatens the security and stability of countries in the Middle East, and the world in general.
First Ramadan after truce brings flicker of joy in devastated Gaza
- Ramadan lanterns and string lights appear on streets lined with collapsed buildings and piles of rubble in Gaza City
- The first holy month since the October ceasefire brings mixed feelings for the many still living in tents
GAZA CITY: Little Ramadan lanterns and string lights appeared on streets lined with collapsed buildings and piles of rubble in Gaza City, bringing joy and respite as Islam’s holiest month began — the first since October’s ceasefire.
In the Omari mosque, dozens of worshippers performed the first Ramadan morning prayer, fajr, bare feet on the carpet but donning heavy jackets to stave off the winter cold.
“Despite the occupation, the destruction of mosques and schools, and the demolition of our homes... we came in spite of these harsh conditions,” Abu Adam, a resident of Gaza City who came to pray, told AFP.
“Even last night, when the area was targeted, we remained determined to head to the mosque to worship God,” he said.
A security source in Gaza told AFP Wednesday that artillery shelling targeted the eastern parts of Gaza City that morning.
The source added that artillery shelling also targeted a refugee camp in central Gaza.
Israel does not allow international journalists to enter the Gaza Strip, preventing AFP and other news organizations from independently verifying casualty figures.
‘Stifled joy’
In Gaza’s south, tens of thousands of people still live in tents and makeshift shelters as they wait for the territory’s reconstruction after a US-brokered ceasefire took hold in October.
Nivin Ahmed, who lives in a tent in the area known as Al-Mawasi, told AFP this first Ramadan without war brought “mixed and varied feelings.”
“The joy is stifled. We miss people who were martyred, are still missing, detained, or even traveled,” she said.
“The Ramadan table used to be full of the most delicious dishes and bring together all our loved ones,” the 50-year-old said.
“Today, I can barely prepare a main dish and a side dish. Everything is expensive. I can’t invite anyone for Iftar or suhoor,” she said, referring to the meals eaten before and after the daily fast of Ramadan.
Despite the ceasefire, shortages remain in Gaza, whose battered economy and material damage have rendered most residents at least partly dependent on humanitarian aid for their basic needs.
But with all entries into the tiny territory under Israeli control, not enough goods are able to enter to bring prices down, according to the United Nations and aid groups.
‘Still special’
Maha Fathi, 37, was displaced from Gaza City and lives in a tent west of the city.
“Despite all the destruction and suffering in Gaza, Ramadan is still special,” she told AFP.
“People have begun to empathize with each other’s suffering again after everyone was preoccupied with themselves during the war.”
She said that her family and neighbors were able to share moments of joy as they prepared food for suhoor and set up Ramadan decorations.
“Everyone longs for the atmosphere of Ramadan. Seeing the decorations and the activity in the markets fills us with hope for a return to stability,” she added.
On the beach at central Gaza’s Deir el-Balah, Palestinian artist Yazeed Abu Jarad contributed to the holiday spirit with his art.
In the sand near the Mediterranean Sea, he sculpted “Welcome Ramadan” in ornate Arabic calligraphy, under the curious eye of children from a nearby tent camp.
Nearly all of Gaza’s 2.2 million residents were displaced at least once during the more than two years of war between Israel and Hamas, sparked by the latter’s unprecedented October 7 attack on Israel.
Mohammed Al-Madhoun, 43, also lives in a tent west of Gaza City, and hoped for brighter days ahead.
“I hope this is the last Ramadan we spend in tents. I feel helpless in front of my children when they ask me to buy lanterns and dream of an Iftar table with all their favorite foods.”
“We try to find joy despite everything,” he said, describing his first Ramadan night out with the neighbors, eating the pre-fast meal and praying.
“The children were as if they were on a picnic,” he said.
