The head of the United Nation mission in Yemen’s key port of Hodeida is seriously urging Houthi rebels to conclude the removal of prepared military positions such as trenches at the port.
However, Lieutenant Gen. Michael Lollesgaard said Wednesday that the United Nation mission has not detected a rebel military presence in Hodeida and the two small ports of Salif and Ras Isa since May 14. But he said there are still usable rebel military positions in Hodeida.
The Houthis have claimed in May to have finished the long-delayed redeployment of their forces from the ports under a December cease-fire agreement. Yemen’s internationally recognized government has accused the Houthis of handing the ports over to allied fighters.
The redeployment from the ports is considered an important first step toward ending the civil war in Yemen.