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YEMEN-CONFLICT-HODEIDA
Air strikes, clashes hit Yemen’s Hodeida despite ceasefire
DUBAI, Dec 16, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Air strikes and fierce clashes shook the
outskirts of Yemen’s rebel-held port city of Hodeida overnight, pro-
government sources and residents said Sunday, despite a UN-brokered
ceasefire.
At least 29 fighters, including 22 Huthi rebels, were killed on Saturday
night in clashes and air strikes in Hodeida province, a pro-government
military source told AFP.
He added that seven rebels were captured during an attack on Al-Durayhimi
district, which lies about 20 kilometres south of Hodeida city.
A resident of the city reached by telephone said that the clashes were
“fierce” and the sounds of jets could be heard throughout the night until
about 5 am (0200 GMT) on Sunday.
The fighting comes days after a UN-backed ceasefire came into effect, part
of a hard-won accord agreed in Sweden between Yemen’s warring sides.
The truce between Yemeni government forces, backed by a Saudi-led military
coalition, and the Huthi rebels was due to be followed by the withdrawal
within days of fighters on both sides.
In comments published Saturday on the rebel-run Saba news agency, the
Huthis accused pro-government forces of shelling residential neighbourhoods
in Hodeida city.
Thursday’s ceasefire accord has been seen as the most significant step
towards ending the devastating conflict in Yemen, where more than 14 million
people are on the brink of famine.
A prisoner swap involving some 15,000 detainees is planned and a “mutual
understanding” has been struck to facilitate aid deliveries to Yemen’s third
city Taiz — under control of loyalists but besieged by rebels.
The two sides also agreed to meet again in late January for more talks to
define the framework for negotiations on a comprehensive peace settlement.
The UN says the conflict has killed some 10,000 people and unleashed the
world’s worst humanitarian crisis.
Human rights groups say the death toll could be five times as high.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1505 hrs