USA/Saudi want Hodeidah Port Before Ceasefire



Washington and Riyadh have decided they do not want a ceasefire yet before seizing control of Hodeidah according to a source close to Mr. Houthi. Washington and Riyadh have decided they do not want a ceasefire yet before seizing control of Hodeidah and perhaps Saana, according to a source close to Mr. Houthi. This is learned despite the extensive efforts for peace by the UN’s special envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths, and the UK Foreign Secretary, Jeremy Hunt. Map art by Rosa Yamamoto, Feminine Perspective Magazine. Click to enlarge.

by Melissa Hemingway  Feminine Perspective Magazine, Senior Staff Writer

Violence in Yemen Worsened as USA & Saudi Push for Port City

Despite the great efforts of the UN’s special envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths, and the UK Foreign Secretary, Jeremy Hunt, Washington and Riyadh have decided they do not want a ceasefire yet before seizing control of Hodeidah according to a source close to Mr. Houthi.

Houthi had offered an extensive and immediate ceasefire at the start of the week.

The Yemen port city of Hodeidah faces the strait of Bab Al Mandeb aptly named because the name means Gate of Tears in English, and it has seen plenty. It is the fourth most trafficked strait in the world.

Four million barrels of oil on a slow day pass through Bab Al Mandeb daily. That means that the port city and the strait have strategic value to the United States and to Iran.

The United States has been enforcing a naval blockade of Yemen.

Houthi surface naval forces have already attacked Saudi shipping passing through the Bab Al Mandeb choke point which is about 16 NM across at its narrows. The Houthi may have also mined the strait at one time or another although that is not confirmed other than the reported presence of mines.