UN welcomes the truce in Hodeidah and Britain announced the transfer of dozens of wounded Houthis for treatment

The United Nations welcomed the reports on the reduction of hostilities in the Yemeni city of Hodeidah, while Britain announced that the Saudi-UAE alliance had agreed to evacuate dozens of wounded Houthi fighters to Oman for treatment.

Martin Griffith, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General to Yemen, said reducing the escalation in Hodeidah was an important step to prevent further human suffering and to build an environment conducive to the political process.

The UN envoy called on the parties to the conflict to exercise restraint and said he was optimistic that all parties would engage in the political process. He also announced that logistical preparations were under way to prepare for the next round of consultations.

On Tuesday, Hodeidah witnessed a cautious calm after heavy fighting over the past few days between the government army and the Houthis. Local residents said armed fighting and air strikes had ceased since yesterday evening, while displacement continued from neighborhoods near the lines of fire for fear of renewed clashes.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterich warned in a radio interview yesterday that "if the port is destroyed in Hodeidah, this could certainly lead to a catastrophic situation" as the main port of the port has recently been hit by air raids.

The wounded
British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said the Saudis had assured him of their desire to allow the evacuation of 50 wounded Houthi fighters for treatment in Amman, on condition that they would be allowed to travel with them.

"This position may be of great importance because the Houthis have stipulated such an order to attend the peace talks scheduled for the end of this month, and if this obstacle is removed, the prospects for the conference will be strengthened," he added.

Hunt held talks with Saudi King Salman bin Abdul Aziz in Riyadh yesterday, and then met Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed in the UAE, before returning to the Kingdom to meet with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who also serves as Minister of Defense, and also met Ali Mohsen Saleh Deputy President of Yemen.

Mansour Al-Mansour, spokesman for the Joint Accident Assessment Team of the Saudi-UAE Alliance in Yemen, denied reports by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, describing the allegations.

Al-Mansour told a news conference the results of the investigation into allegations of violations committed by the coalition in Yemen, adding that the team is investigating all cases through international legal means.

International organizations have accused the Saudi-UAE alliance of targeting civilians and their property in several Yemeni provinces.