Saudi Coalition Threatens to Attack Yemen Aid Port to ‘Save’ Ceasefire Deal

According to United Arab Emirates Foreign Affairs Minister Anwar Gargash, the Saudi-led coalition is preparing to “save” the ceasefire in the Yemen aid port of Hodeidah by violating the ceasefire and attacking the Shi’ite Houthis.

The ceasefire deal has held, mostly, though the two sides both accuse the other of violations. A deal that would see both sides withdraw forces from around the port was never completed, however.

Gargash says that the only way to “save” the ceasefire is to force the Houthis to withdraw all their forces. The Saudi side never withdrew from the region either, however, and launching a fight in Hodeidah seems to be the exact opposite of withdrawing from it.

The UN has been trying to negotiate with both sides on fulfilling the pledged pullout. The problem is neither side wants to move large numbers first, fearing the other side would use that as an opportunity to attack what’s left and seize the city. The Saudi-led forces seem to be planning to do this at any rate, however, even without the pullout beginning.