UN envoy in talks with Yemen's Huthis on fate of key port

AFP  |  United Nations 

A UN was in today for talks with Huthi rebels about de-escalating the fighting around the key port of Hodeida, a major entry point for humanitarian aid, a said.

"The is discussing with the parties the steps they could take to de-escalate tension, including on Hodeida," said Dujarric, who did not provide details.

Yemeni forces, backed by and the United Arab Emirates, are closing in on Hodeida, a port that the coalition maintains has been used by the Huthis to smuggle weapons.

More than 100 soldiers and insurgents have been killed in the battle for Hodeida in less than a week, according to medics and military sources. Griffiths is due to report to the on June 18 on his peace efforts.

More than 22 million people in are in need of aid -- 8.4 million of whom are on the brink of starvation, according to the which considers to be the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

Since 2015, has been leading a military campaign to push back the Huthis and restore the internationally recognised government to power.

The conflict has left nearly 10,000 people dead in Yemen, already the Arab world's poorest country.

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First Published: Tue, June 05 2018. 02:45 IST