The Arab coalition has launched a major military and humanitarian aid operation in western Yemen.
The objective is to ensure the unimpeded supply of humanitarian aid to the Yemeni people by liberating the red sea port city of Hodeida from the Houthi rebels, says a UAE embassy press release.
Under the authority of the legitimate Yemeni government, the Arab coalition force was spearheaded by the Yemeni national army and local Yemeni resistance fighters, many from the Hodeida area.
The Arab coalition force also includes military elements from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and other nations.
Regarding this operation UAE Ambassador in Bangladesh Sead Mohammed Sead Hamid AL-Mheiri said, ‘Liberating Hodeida and hastening the end of the conflict will also help to refocus fuller attention on the fight against AQAP and ISIS that present serious risks to Yemen’s stability and to other countries targeted by these extremist groups.
“The Arab coalition asks other nations and interested parties to intensify their efforts to support the political transition process and to support humanitarian efforts to meet the critical needs of the Yemeni people”.
The UAE and the Arab coalition continue to strongly support the efforts of special envoy martin Griffiths, consistent with UN Security Council resolutions.
The operations around Hodeida aim to alleviate the suffering of the civilian population, and to create conditions favorable to achieving a negotiated settlement by cutting off the supply of illicit arms that have fueled the insurgency.
In keeping with UN Security Council resolution 2216 and 2286, the Arab coalition is calling on the Houthi rebels to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law, to ensure the safety of civilians, including those receiving assistance, to ensure the respect and protection of all medical personnel and humanitarian personnel, and to facilitate the rapid, safe and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to the civilian population.