UN: 5,200 families flee fighting in Hudaydah

The UN announced on Tuesday that the ongoing fighting and air strikes in the Yemeni city of Hudaydah since the beginning of this month have led to 5,200 families fleeing their homes.

“Our humanitarian colleagues report that heavy fighting and air strikes are continuing in several locations in Hudaydah City and districts south of the city,” said Stéphane Dujarric, the Spokesman for the UN Secretary-General. “An estimated 5,200 families have fled the fighting since 1 June, moving to safer areas within their home districts or neighbouring areas.”

Dujarric pointed out that aid organisations are continuing to distribute emergency kits and other assistance to affected people. “A concerted effort is under way to engage the parties to ensure the safety of humanitarian partners on the ground, and to remind them of their obligations under international humanitarian law.”

Officials at the World Food Programme (WFP) have told the UN that they are unloading food from three ships in Hudaydah harbour, which will give them the ability to feed about 6 million people for one month.

UN fears disastrous impact of attack on Yemen’s Hudaydah port

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to solve the crisis are continuing. “Martin Griffiths, the Special UN Envoy for Yemen, is continuing his diplomati, Yemenc efforts,” explained Dujarric. He has left Sana’a and is now travelling to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where he will be meeting key officials from the Saudi-led coalition. “Griffiths will also contact the Government of Yemen [in exile] to discuss with them his mediation efforts on Hudaydah.”

It is noteworthy that a Yemeni military source has revealed the advance of government forces, backed by the coalition, towards Hudaydah to control a highway that connects the city with Sana’a. This came hours after the announcement by the same forces that they had taken control of Hudaydah Airport.

According to the source, fighting with the Houthis is continuing on the southern front. The Houthis have apparently withdrawn northwards towards residential areas and started to launch attacks from their new positions.