Even before the Geneva peace talks were totally collapsed, the expectation that they would end in failure led pro-Saudi forces to begin launching new attacks in and around the vital Yemeni port city of Hodeidah.
Since Saturday, when the talks were called off, hospitals are reporting 84 people to have been killed in the various clashes on the ground, and the substantial number o Saudi-backed airstrikes against targets in the city.
The reports suggest the overwhelming majority of the slain are from the Houthi movement, with 73 Houthis killed, and only 11 pro-Saudi soldiers. The majority of the wounded reported are also said to be Houthis.
A ceasefire was supposed to be in place around Hodeidah to give the peace talks a chance. The Saudis, however, never facilitated the Houthis’ travel to Geneva for the talks, meaning on Saturday, the talks were cancelled, with both sides trading blame.