Saudi-backed militants pause Hudaydah attack

Saudi-backed militiamen have halted their offensive aimed at taking the strategic port city of Hudaydah.

Saudi-backed militiamen have halted their offensive aimed at taking the strategic port city of Hudaydah.

Three Saudi-backed field commanders told AFP on Wednesday that the Saudi-backed mercenaries had been “ordered” to halt the offensive until further notice. They said they would resume operations if they came under attack.

The announcement came a day after Mark Lowcock, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator urged a ceasefire around Hudaydah.

In recent days, the military coalition led by the Saudi regime and militia groups have intensified their attacks on Hudaydah, which is seen as the main entry point for food imports and aid relief needed by millions in the war-torn country.