The UN said on Sunday that a Yemeni rebel withdrawal from key Red Sea ports was proceeding as planned, after the government accused insurgents of faking the pullout. The port of Hodeidah serves as a lifeline for millions in the country.

Yemen’s government had earlier accused rebels of a “policy of deception” after they announced the withdrawal in a long-delayed move agreed under a ceasefire deal last year. But the UN, which said it had teams monitoring the Hodeidah, Saleef and Ras Issa ports, later reported that the pullout had gone “in accordance with established plans”.

It said the coastguard had taken over responsibility for security at the three sites after a Houthi rebel withdrawal that had begun on Saturday.