Yemen latest: offensive for the liberation of Hodeidah enters second day - live updates

Operation Golden Victory launched after 'exhausting all peaceful and political means'

The National
Jun 14, 2018
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• The assault to liberate the rebel-held port city of Hodeidah began on Wednesday. Read the full story here

• Recap with our live coverage of yesterday's events here

• The National's editorial on Yemen | UAE ambassador to Britain on Hodeidah

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16:30 - A breakdown of Saudi Arabia and UAE five-point aid plan for Hodeidah port and surrounding areas 

- Establish a shipping lane to Hodeidah from the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, and Jizan, a city in southern Saudi Arabia

- Food distribution

- Medical supplies to hospitals

- Sustain electrical stations

- provide economic support

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4:05 - Saudi air defence shoot down missile from Yemen

Saudi Arabia's air defence forces shot down a missile fired from Yemen. The projectile was shot down over the town of Khamis Mushayt in south-eastern Saudi Arabia. Numerous missiles have been fired towards Saudi by Houthi rebels in Yemen with Iranian support.

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15:59 - Coalition forces advance after securing Al Duraihimi, south of Hodeidah

Yemeni troops clear farming areas south of Hodeidah, advancing to 3km from the city airport, a source in the operations room of Al Amalikah brigades told The National. Al Arabiya news reported that Yemeni forces had reached the roundabout area on the outskirts of the airport.

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15:46 - The hour of victory and liberation is approaching: Dr Anwar Gargash

"All indications from within the city of Hodeidah confirm the aspiration of civilians to liberate them from the grip of the Houthi militias, we take into account the safety of the population in our progress and look forward to their liberation"

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15:25 - Thirty Houthis killed in heavy clashes south of Hodeidah according to medical sources. 

Nine pro-government troops were also killed in the same area, the medics said.

The United Arab Emirates' ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva says the four Emirati troops who were killed in Yemen were taking part in the campaign to retake the port city of Hodeida.

Ambassador Obaid Salem Al Zaabi made the comments during a news conference with journalists Thursday.

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14:07 - Coalition captures town south of Hodeidah: officials 

Soldiers took the town of Nakhila in Yemen's ad-Durayhimi district, some 20 kilometers south of Hodeidah International Airport, according to the government-run SABA news agency.

Fighters continued to move closer to the airport.

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12:39 Coalition strikes block Houthi reinforcement 

The coalition struck the main road linking Hodeidah to the northern capital, Sanaa, to block any reinforcements of the Houthis, residents and the Yemeni military officials said.

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10:53 - Sky News Arabia Correspondent: Arab coalition jets raid Houthi positions in western district of Zabid - western Hodeida

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10:08 - Ongoing clashes near airport 

Witnesses told The National that heavy fighting near the airport - which is south of city - was ongoing and would likely intensify in the coming days as the coalition pushes to retake the area.

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08:25 - UN Security Council to meet Thursday on Yemen port offensive

The UN Security Council will meet on Thursday for urgent talks.

Britain requested the meeting to be held behind closed doors at noon (1600 GMT) - the second time this week that the council will have met on the crisis in Yemen.

The UN special envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, said he was continuing to hold negotiations on keeping Hodeidah open and urged all sides to exercise restraint.

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson warned in a statement that the military operation around Hodeidah must not disrupt the flow of goods through the port.

"The coalition have assured us that they are incorporating humanitarian concerns into their operational plans. It is vital to maintain the flow of food, fuel and medical supplies into Yemen," said Mr Johnson.

He also urged the Houthis to "not compromise port facilities or hinder the humanitarian response."

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07:19 - The battle for Hodeidah continues, aid in place for delivery

Governor of Hodeidah Dr Al Hassan Taher said a rapid response plan for aid delivery is in place parallel to the military operation.

The plan includes measures to ensure the protection of civilians, secure power supplies and allow aid to enter the city.

"Humanitarian aid and relief operations feature as top priorities for the Arab Coalition countries," The Spokesman of the Yemeni national Resistance said.

According to the governor of Hodeidah, civilians in Hodeidah are eager for the Houthi rebels to leave the city.

Read more: Britain backs Coalition push to liberate Hodeidah

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates also announced a five-point aid plan for Yemen's Hodeidah port and surrounding areas.

As part of the plan, the two coalition states aim to establish a shipping lane to Hodeidah from the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, and Jizan, a city in southern Saudi Arabia, officials told a news conference in Riyadh.

They will also distribute food, provide medical supplies, equipment and staff to hospitals, sustain electrical stations and provide economic support, they said.

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