Houthis Step Up Attacks in Hodeidah amid UN Silence

The UN observer mission based in Yemen’s western coastal Hodeidah governorate has remained silent over the growing attacks by Houthi militias that are threatening to collapse a fragile UN-sponsored truce agreement that was signed back in 2018.

The militias, backed by Iran, launched missile strikes on Tuesday that targeted an industrial complex and a number of civilian neighborhoods in Hodeidah, war monitors of pro-government joint Yemeni forces reported.

Within a window of eight hours, the militias violated the Stockholm Agreement 86 times, they added, confirming that the Iran-aligned group is waging a hostile military escalation in Hodeidah.

The assaults resulted in substantial material damage and managed to spread fear and panic among locals.

This is not the first time the militants target the “Ikhwan Thabit” industrial and commercial complex.

War monitors also reported Houthis using medium and heavy weapons, mortar shells and drones to target residential areas and farms in the Hays and al-Duraihimi districts, located in Hodeidah’s south.

Military sources have previously confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that Houthis are seeking to expand the range of combat lines and make advances in Hodeidah’s southern and eastern fronts.

The Houthis have stepped up their attacks in the Hays, al-Hok, Tahita and al-Duraihimi districts.

On Monday, Houthis used katyusha rockets to target al-Mandhar residential neighborhood in al-Hok.

Several houses in al-Mandhar were either hit or badly damaged by the attack. At least five houses were totally destroyed by the indiscriminate shelling.

Houthi constant bombardment of populated areas has caused panic throughout Hodeidah and forced hundreds of families to leave their homes.

The UN Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA), led by General Abhijit Guha, failed to condemn the recent aggressions.

Instead, the observer mission keeps to issuing statements denouncing the escalation and calling for restraint.