The Arab coalition fighting in Yemen on behalf of the internationally-recognised government said that the rebel-held port city of Hodeidah has not yet been liberated because the Houthi militia there was using civilians as human shields.
"There are reports that 200 children were killed in the battlefield because of the Houthis' recruitment of these orphans, who they use as shields," said Col Turki Al Maliki, the coalition's spokesman.
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Read more:
Yemen forces take control of tourist resorts near Hodeidah
Beyond the Headlines podcast: Hodeidah's importance to victory in Yemen
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He said the alliance – which includes the UAE – is not slowing down its offensive on the western battle front, where, he added, the Yemeni forces are nine kilometres from Hodeidah city.
"The Yemeni army is advancing in the Saada in the north and Al Hodeidah in the south," said Col Al Maliki on Monday night. "The pro-government forces are close to wrapping up the last preparations to liberate Al Hodeidah that includes a port, through which most humanitarian aid comes.
“There are reinforcements and the sweeping of landmines from liberated areas in preparation for future operations. Once all the requirements are met, the Yemeni forces will advance to recapture Al Hodeidah.”
Col Al Maliki also said that the Saada province remains "the scene from which to launch ballistic missiles" that have targeted populated areas of Saudi Arabia. Air defence systems have intercepted most of them.
"The Yemeni forces have seized ballistic missiles from the Houthis in Al Hodeidah," he said. "The Arab coalition is working to stop the smuggling of Iranian weapons to the Houthis via the Al Hodeidah port.
"Not a single rocket was launched this week towards Saudi Arabia … as intensified military efforts have been successful in neutralising the capabilities of the Houthis."
Read more: Houthis in talks with UN to surrender Yemen's Al Hodeidah
Col Al Maliki reiterated that the best solution to the Yemen crisis would be a political one, saying that "all options are possible, and the military option continues to meet its goals".
According to Yemeni political sources, United Nations Special Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths is in talks with the Houthis rebels to hand over control of the Al Hodeidah port to the UN. He arrived in the rebel-held capital Sanaa on Saturday.
Yemen's Prime Minister, Ahmed Obeid bin Dagher, said on Monday night that the government welcomed Mr Griffiths's efforts to find a political solution.
"The government was, and still is, welcoming of the efforts being made to consolidate the pillars of a comprehensive and fair peace in Yemen," he tweeted.
In a letter to the Washington Post on Tuesday, the UAE ambassador to the US, Yousef Al Otaiba, and the UAE ambassador to the UN, Lana Nusseibeh, wrote that "a political resolution must be reached" in Yemen.
"The Houthis are the main obstacle to achieving peace under a legitimate government in Yemen," they wrote, adding that before Mr Griffith's visit, the Iran-backed rebels "had refused any substantive engagement with the UN-led negotiations".
A Saudi-led coalition intervened in the war in Yemen in March 2015 to fight the Iran-backed rebels at the request of the legitimate government of President Abdrabu Mansur Hadi.
THE BIO
Bio Box
Role Model: Sheikh Zayed, God bless his soul
Favorite book: Zayed Biography of the leader
Favorite quote: To be or not to be, that is the question, from William Shakespeare's Hamlet
Favorite food: seafood
Favorite place to travel: Lebanon
Favorite movie: Braveheart
Coffee: black death or elixir of life?
It is among the greatest health debates of our time; splashed across newspapers with contradicting headlines - is coffee good for you or not?
Depending on what you read, it is either a cancer-causing, sleep-depriving, stomach ulcer-inducing black death or the secret to long life, cutting the chance of stroke, diabetes and cancer.
The latest research - a study of 8,412 people across the UK who each underwent an MRI heart scan - is intended to put to bed (caffeine allowing) conflicting reports of the pros and cons of consumption.
The study, funded by the British Heart Foundation, contradicted previous findings that it stiffens arteries, putting pressure on the heart and increasing the likelihood of a heart attack or stroke, leading to warnings to cut down.
Numerous studies have recognised the benefits of coffee in cutting oral and esophageal cancer, the risk of a stroke and cirrhosis of the liver.
The benefits are often linked to biologically active compounds including caffeine, flavonoids, lignans, and other polyphenols, which benefit the body. These and othetr coffee compounds regulate genes involved in DNA repair, have anti-inflammatory properties and are associated with lower risk of insulin resistance, which is linked to type-2 diabetes.
But as doctors warn, too much of anything is inadvisable. The British Heart Foundation found the heaviest coffee drinkers in the study were most likely to be men who smoked and drank alcohol regularly.
Excessive amounts of coffee also unsettle the stomach causing or contributing to stomach ulcers. It also stains the teeth over time, hampers absorption of minerals and vitamins like zinc and iron.
It also raises blood pressure, which is largely problematic for people with existing conditions.
So the heaviest drinkers of the black stuff - some in the study had up to 25 cups per day - may want to rein it in.
Rory Reynolds
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
