Fighting Erupts in Yemen Port City, Disrupting Peace Talks

After a period of relative calm around the Yemeni port of Hodeidah, fighting erupted in the area, with the Houthi forces in the area pounded by heavy weaponry in several locations around the main port city.

Hodeidah port is the source of about 70% of the food and medical aid entering Yemen. The continued demilitarization of this area was the topic of ongoing peace talks in Jordan, but those talks seem to be up in the air with this new fighting.

And as usual, both sides are trading blame for the fighting. All indications are that the Saudi-backed forces attacked first, nominally in retaliation for Houthi drone strikes in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi-backed forces are accusing the Houthis of fighting back, however.

The Houthis have had control over Hodeidah for much of the war, and the talks were initiated during a Saudi attack on the port, which fueled fear that it would cut all food aid entering the country’s northern half.