Yemeni government forces in Hodeidah. Coalition forces have resumed airstrikes on the port after a two-month ceasefire. EPA
Yemeni government forces in Hodeidah. Coalition forces have resumed airstrikes on the port after a two-month ceasefire. EPA
Yemeni government forces in Hodeidah. Coalition forces have resumed airstrikes on the port after a two-month ceasefire. EPA
Yemeni government forces in Hodeidah. Coalition forces have resumed airstrikes on the port after a two-month ceasefire. EPA

Arab Coalition airstrikes resume on Hodeidah after peace talk failure

At least 100 Houthis have been killed or injured in the strikes

The National

September 12, 2018

  • English
  • Arabic

Airstrikes by the Arab Coalition resumed on the Red Sea port of Hodeidah on Wednesday, following a two-month ceasefire.

The coalition, which includes the UAE, resumed its offensive following the failure of UN-led peace talks between the internationally recognised Yemeni government and the Houthi rebels.

Videos posted on Wam, the UAE's state news agency, shows Arab Coalition forces monitoring Houthi movements including the burning of tires, and the laying of landmines.

At least 100 Houthis have been injured or killed in the latest offensive, Sky News Arabia reports.

Earlier on Wednesday, Yemen's pro-government Al Amalikah brigades retook a stretch of the road near Hodeidah, cutting off a major Houthi supply route.

A member of Yemeni government forces flashes a Victory sign during battles between Yemeni government forces and Houthi rebels in the port city of Hodeidah, Yemen. EPA
A member of Yemeni government forces flashes a Victory sign during battles between Yemeni government forces and Houthi rebels in the port city of Hodeidah, Yemen. EPA
Yemeni government forces patrol as smoke billows from an alleged Houthi position during battles between Yemeni government forces and Houthi rebels in the port city of Hodeidah. EPA
Yemeni government forces patrol as smoke billows from an alleged Houthi position during battles between Yemeni government forces and Houthi rebels in the port city of Hodeidah. EPA
Yemeni government forces patrol as smoke billows from an alleged Houthi position during battles between Yemeni government forces and Houthi rebels in the port city of Hodeidah. EPA
Yemeni government forces patrol as smoke billows from an alleged Houthi position during battles between Yemeni government forces and Houthi rebels in the port city of Hodeidah. EPA
Yemeni government forces patrol as smoke billows from an alleged Houthi position during battles between Yemeni government forces and Houthi rebels in the port city of Hodeidah. EPA
Yemeni government forces patrol as smoke billows from an alleged Houthi position during battles between Yemeni government forces and Houthi rebels in the port city of Hodeidah. EPA
Yemeni government forces take part in battles at the port city of Hodeidah. EPA
Yemeni government forces take part in battles at the port city of Hodeidah. EPA
Yemeni government forces patrol as smoke billows from an alleged Houthi position during battles between Yemeni government forces and Houthi rebels in the port city of Hodeidah. EPA
Yemeni government forces patrol as smoke billows from an alleged Houthi position during battles between Yemeni government forces and Houthi rebels in the port city of Hodeidah. EPA
A member of Yemeni government forces stands guard as smoke billows from an alleged Houthi position. EPA
A member of Yemeni government forces stands guard as smoke billows from an alleged Houthi position. EPA
Yemeni government forces take part in battles at the port city of Hodeidah. EPA
Yemeni government forces take part in battles at the port city of Hodeidah. EPA
Yemeni government forces take part in battles at the port city of Hodeidah. EPA
Yemeni government forces take part in battles at the port city of Hodeidah. EPA

The road runs from the port city to other rebel-held areas, but also links to Ibb, Taez and Aden to the south.

As the battle for Hodeidah resumes, UAE's Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Dr Anwar Gargash, said the only way to win the war in Yemen was by liberating the port of Hodeidah.

The Houthi's failure to arrive at peace talks in Geneva was proof the liberation of Hodeidah was necessary, he said.

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Read more:

Editorial: A dark day for Yemenis after failed peace talks

Yemen talks delayed after Houthi no-show but still 'fruitful'

Yemen pro-government forces cut major Houthi supply route

Mukalla: The Yemeni city that defeated Al Qaeda and now needs the world's help

Dubai works towards better air quality by 2021

Dubai is on a mission to record good air quality for 90 per cent of the year – up from 86 per cent annually today – by 2021.

The municipality plans to have seven mobile air-monitoring stations by 2020 to capture more accurate data in hourly and daily trends of pollution.

These will be on the Palm Jumeirah, Al Qusais, Muhaisnah, Rashidiyah, Al Wasl, Al Quoz and Dubai Investment Park.

“It will allow real-time responding for emergency cases,” said Khaldoon Al Daraji, first environment safety officer at the municipality.

“We’re in a good position except for the cases that are out of our hands, such as sandstorms.

“Sandstorms are our main concern because the UAE is just a receiver.

“The hotspots are Iran, Saudi Arabia and southern Iraq, but we’re working hard with the region to reduce the cycle of sandstorm generation.”

Mr Al Daraji said monitoring as it stood covered 47 per cent of Dubai.

There are 12 fixed stations in the emirate, but Dubai also receives information from monitors belonging to other entities.

“There are 25 stations in total,” Mr Al Daraji said.

“We added new technology and equipment used for the first time for the detection of heavy metals.

“A hundred parameters can be detected but we want to expand it to make sure that the data captured can allow a baseline study in some areas to ensure they are well positioned.”

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