UN ‘extremely concerned’ about Saudi-led assault on Yemen’s Hodeida

The United Nations has expressed deep concern over an assault by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen’s port city of Hodeida as rights groups warn about the catastrophic repercussions of the offensive, which is considered the largest battle of the three-year war.

The United Nations has expressed deep concern over an assault by the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen’s port city of Hodeida as rights groups warn about the catastrophic repercussions of the offensive, which is considered the largest battle of the three-year war.

“I am extremely concerned about military escalation in #Hodeida & their humanitarian & political impact,” the UN special envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths, said in a tweet on Wednesday after government forces launched an offensive on the key port.

The UN envoy also issued a statement, saying he was continuing to hold negotiations on keeping Hodeida open to aid deliveries.

“We are in constant contact with all the parties involved to negotiate arrangements for Hudaydah that would address political, humanitarian, security concerns of all concerned parties,” said Griffiths in the statement.

He called on all sides to “exercise restraint and to give peace a chance.”

Forces backed by the Saudi-led coalition on Wednesday launched an offensive against Hudaydah, aiming to take the city that has been controlled by the ruling Houthi movement.