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Nestled on Yemen’s Red Sea coast, Hodeidah is more than merely a gateway for goods.
The port, which was heavily bombed and put out of action on Saturday by Israeli air strikes, has been a lifeline for a country grappling with war, economic turmoil and one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises.
As Yemen's principal port, Hodeidah has been crucial for the survival of millions of citizens, making it a focal point of humanitarian efforts and military conflict.
Even before the war, it handled most imports in a country where 90 per cent of food had to be imported. But after Hodeidah was taken over by Iran-backed Houthi militias, Yemen's internationally recognised government has long accused the rebel movement of controlling the distribution of supplies from the port, deciding who benefits from foreign aid.
A major element of contention in the Yemeni conflict has been the restrictions on the import of fuel and humanitarian goods into Yemen, where millions of people are on the brink of famine.
Israeli warplanes killed three people in the Houthi-controlled Yemeni port of Hodeidah on Saturday, following the group's fatal drone attack in Tel Aviv. The strikes on the vital port, which triggered a raging fire and plumes of black smoke, were the first by Israel in Yemen, about 2,000km away.
Yemen’s economic lifeline
Its strategic importance is underscored by its location on key maritime routes connecting Europe, the Middle East and Asia. Control of the port translates into significant influence over the Red Sea's maritime traffic, impacting global shipping routes. For Yemen, Hodeidah is a vital entry point for goods essential to both the local economy and regional trade.
Economically, Hodeidah has also underpinned much of Yemen’s commercial activity. The port generates substantial revenue through tariffs and customs duty, critical for the country's fragile financial state.
These inflows have historically supported government functions and public services, essential for maintaining a semblance of stability in a nation torn by conflict.
Who has control?
Since the Yemeni Civil War erupted in 2015, control of Hodeidah port has been fiercely contested. Currently, it is under the control of Houthi rebels, who seized it from internationally recognised Yemeni government forces early in the conflict.
This has provided the Houthis with significant leverage, allowing them to regulate the flow of goods and resources into Yemen.
Both the ports of Hodeidah and Salif on the Red Sea are controlled by the Iran-backed Houthis.
The Saudi-led coalition has said the Houthis use the ports as launching points for military operations. A peace deal was signed by Yemen's warring sides in Stockholm in 2018, aiming to keep the ports operational. However, air and sea access to Houthi-held areas is controlled by the coalition, which intervened at the request of the government in 2015 after it was ousted by the rebels.
The port has been attacked numerous times, causing significant damage and disruption to operations, destroying infrastructure and delaying the delivery of much-needed aid and commercial goods, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
Early last month, US and UK forces carried out joint air strikes on Hodeidah's airport and another attack was launched on the seaport of Salif to the north, in retaliation for the Houthis' targeting of shipping vessels in the Red Sea.
The rebels first threatened to attack Israeli ships in October. The following month, the group seized control of a Japanese-operated ship near Hodeidah, holding crew members hostage.
UN presence
The UN has had a significant presence in Hodeidah, primarily focused on monitoring and facilitating peace agreements and providing humanitarian assistance.
Established in December 2018 by the Security Council, the UN Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA) was created to support the wider Stockholm Agreement between the Yemeni government and Houthi rebels.
Various UN agencies operate in Hodeidah to address the dire humanitarian needs exacerbated by the conflict.
Key agencies involved include the World Food Programme, Unicef, the World Health Organisation, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and the Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo
Power: 435hp at 5,900rpm
Torque: 520Nm at 1,800-5,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Price: from Dh498,542
On sale: now
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere
Director: Scott Cooper
Starring: Jeremy Allen White, Odessa Young, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 4/5
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
The Cairo Statement
1: Commit to countering all types of terrorism and extremism in all their manifestations
2: Denounce violence and the rhetoric of hatred
3: Adhere to the full compliance with the Riyadh accord of 2014 and the subsequent meeting and executive procedures approved in 2014 by the GCC
4: Comply with all recommendations of the Summit between the US and Muslim countries held in May 2017 in Saudi Arabia.
5: Refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of countries and of supporting rogue entities.
6: Carry out the responsibility of all the countries with the international community to counter all manifestations of extremism and terrorism that threaten international peace and security
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Sustainable Development Goals
1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere
2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation
10. Reduce inequality within and among countries
11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects
14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development
White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogen
Chromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxide
Ultramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica content
Ophiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on land
Olivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour
GIANT REVIEW
Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan
Director: Athale
Rating: 4/5
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UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)