No ships in Yemen's key port despite Saudi claim of lifting blockade

There is no indication of aid or commerce coming into Yemen through the key port of Hodeidah despite Saudi Arabia's December 20 pledge to lift the blockade for a month, an RT Arabic crew has discovered.


Two days after Houthi fighters fired a missile at Riyadh on November 4, Saudi Arabia sealed air, land and sea access to Yemen in an attempt to stop alleged 'arms smuggling from Iran.' Following a massive outcry from the UN and various aid agencies which warned of a humanitarian disaster, Riyadh agreed to lift the blockade of the Houthi-controlled port of Hodeidah temporarily on December 20.

“The port of Hodeidah will remain open for humanitarian and relief supplies and the entry of commercial vessels, including fuel and food vessels, for a period of 30 days,” the Saudis said at the time.

Two weeks after the announcement, the port remains empty. No merchant or relief vessels are seen anchored at its harbor and no much-needed aid is flowing into the country suffering from a humanitarian catastrophe.

The port manager confirmed to RT Arabic that the sea-hub had processed only two vessels that had old permits. The blockade, he said, is till very much in effect......https://on.rt.com/8wbj
 (RT)
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