Battle of Al Hudaydah

The United Arab Emirates Armed Forces had previously proposed a naval attack on Al Hudaydah in 2016 to deprive the Houthis of getting resources from the port, however the United States advised against it as the operation was deemed to be too risky at that time. In the intervening two years, the UAE trained thousands of Yemeni soldiers, positioning them at bases in Eritrea and along Tihamah as part of the offensive on Al Hudaydah Governorate. Geographical location Al-Hudaydah, is a port city in Yemen located in Al Hudaydah governorate in the western coastline of Yemen. The city is located on the Tihāmah coastal plain which borders the Red Sea. Al-Hudaydah is the largest city by population in Al Hudaydah Governorate. Due to its location, Hudaydah port is one of the important and strategic ports in Yemen. The port city of Al Hudaydah has played a crucial role in delivering imported food into the country. This role has been disrupted several times over the course of the war. The port's four cranes were destroyed and several warehouses were damaged. The coalition asserted that the port was housing a hostile naval base, but humanitarian aid organizations stated the coalition's naval blockade was preventing relief from reaching those in need. According to World Health Organization, Hudaida governorate has one of the highest malnutrition rates in the country. UN attempt at political solution Prior to the beginning of the battle, three-quarters of humanitarian and commercial cargo entering Yemen arrived via the port of Al Hudaydah. Due to the risk of a humanitarian crisis if the port is besieged, the United Nations attempted to secure an agreement to manage the port under its jurisdiction and negotiated with the Houthis to take control of the port. Criticism by Houthis In a tweet on 15 June, Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, the head of the Yemeni Supreme Revolutionary Committee criticized UN envoy Martin Griffith for failing to negotiate a peace deal, saying: "the role played by the former UN envoy did not exceed the profession of postman, and his initiative was rejected by the US-Saudi aggression in agreement with the mercenaries who refuse to accept the choice of a consensual person for the presidency." ==Prelude ==

In a statement, UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta H. Fore said the battle will harm 300,000 children who currently live in and around the city. "There are 11 million children in need of humanitarian aid and the attack will lead to choke off this lifeline and have devastating consequences", the statement said. Western support United States and other western powers have been criticized by human rights group for supporting Arab coalition airstrikes that have resulted in death of many civilians. France also sent special forces. Houthis have routinely accused Israel of being involved in the war against Yemen. On 2 June, Houthi spokesman, Muhammad Abd al-Salam said they have documented participation of Israeli planes in the war. He stated that the reason Israel does not acknowledge its role is that it does not want cause trouble for the Arab coalition. == Battle timeline ==

First phase June: Initial advances The coalition intended the battle to be short to avoid causing civilian casualties. The aim was to cut off Houthis supplies and force them to come to the negotiation table. Coalition forces have established a forward operating base at the nearby town of al-Khoka, south of Al Hudaydah. ;13 June According to Yemeni officials, approximately 2,000 Emirati troops assaulted Al Hudaydah, departing from a UAE naval base in Eritrea. A worker for CARE reported hearing at least 30 airstrikes on the first day of fighting as the city population was caught in a panic. On the first day of the battle, Emirati and coalition forces reportedly moved to capture Hodeida International Airport, approaching within a few miles. Almasirah and Houthi spokesman Loai al-Shami claimed that Houthi forces hit a coalition ship with two missiles, though this remains unconfirmed. In an official statement the Houthi-allied Yemeni Marine and Coastal Defense Command expressed its high readiness to counter the offensive on the port, warning of more attacks on the invading naval forces. It also added that there is no concern for civilian ships to reach for Hudayda so long as they stayed committed to international maritime law. It also stressed the Yemeni naval forces' national and religious responsibility in defending Yemen's sovereignty and territorial integrity. ;14 June Forces loyal to the internationally recognized Yemeni government claimed on 14 June that they could breach the first line of defence by Houthis defending the city. along with another nine pro-Hadi soldiers. ;15 June The United Arab Emirates issued 10 ships and 3 flights carrying food and aid bound to Al Hudaydah. ;16 June The coalition claimed it was close to capturing Hudayda airport from Houthi control amid clashes outside the airport. The coalition reportedly seized the airport on 16 June and engineers were placed to remove landmines placed around the airport. Almasirah, a Houthi media outlet, claimed killing over 40 pro Hadi soldiers by Houthi snipers over the last two days in various fronts. ;17 June According to The National, captured Houthi POW have indicated that Houthi forced intended to blow up Hodeida International Airport terminals if coalition forces continued their assault to capture it and has planted thousand landmines across the area. Commander of the coalition forces, Tareq Saleh, has indicated that many of captured Houthis were forced to fight in Al Hudaydah, many of whom were coerced into fighting with threats made against their family members if they refused. ;19 June Houthis claimed to have fired a missile at the Saudi Aramco oil facilities in 'Asir in southwestern Saudi Arabia. Multiple news agencies reported that the coalition captured large areas of Al Hudaydah airport. However Almasirah, pro-Houthi news agency, wrote that numerous attempts by the coalition to take over the airport failed despite mobilization of all the coalition soldiers. Almasirah also reported destruction of all buildings inside the Al Hudaydah airport as a result of coalition's heavy aerial bombings and claimed several "heroic" victories by the pro-Houthi army, citing their advance preparations and intelligence work before the start of the war for their success and citing the destruction of 20 coalition armored vehicles and capture of another 10. Almasirah also reported death of 6 Yemeni civilians including 4 women as a result of coalition on aerial bombings on Al Hudaydah. A claim that was denied by coalition Colonel Turki Al-Malki citing that there were no civilian casualties on the coalition advance on the airport. The coalition accused pro-Houthi militants of breaking international law and placing tanks inside residential areas of Al Hudaydah. ;20 June Almasirah reported a public statement by a pro-Houthi organization called Southern National Front to Resist the Invasion which protested against recruitment of young southern Yemenis by the UAE to fight against the Houthis, calling on the southern tribes to prevent their children from being sent to fight the Houthis. Saudi Arabia announced that Yemeni forces captured the airport from Houthi forces, which was again denied by Almasirah. ;22 June Reports regarding shortage of electricity and water for Al Hudaydah residents continue to rise, and relief workers attribute the water shortage due to damaged pipes caused by Houthi trench digging. Almasirah released video of Houthi forces destroying coalition armored vehicles south of al-Hudaydah airport. Offensive pause and attempt for Geneva peace talks On 23 June, the United Arab Emirates announced a pause to the military operations and the advance on Al Hudaydah to allow for UN-brokered talks spearheaded by UN envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths. Continued clashes on outskirts On 4 August, a coalition airstrike was reported to have killed 30 people in a strike conducted near a hospital and Hudaydah fish market, the coalition denied the news source. On 23 August, the coalition stated that it foiled a booby-trapped boat attack by Houthis in the Red Sea and blamed the Houthis of bombing the bordering village Al Ghalifqa in Al Duraihmi district with an Iranian-made ballistic missile. On 31 August, according to Houthi-run al-Masirah television network report, a Saudi Arabian airstrike attacked three fishing boats in Yemen's western coastline of Hudaydah city, near the island of Uqban. Based on initial reports, 70 fishermen were missed with later reports mentioning the missing of 19 fishermen. Collapse of peace talks On 9 September, the peace talk collapsed after Houthis failed to show for 3 consecutive days to start Geneva peace talks on 6 September. ;11 September Pro-Hadi forces advanced on Al Hudaydah and seized control of key Houthi supply routes from Al Hudaydah to Sanaa, Kilo 10 and Kilo 16. Houthis denied losing control of kilo 10 and kilo 16 supply routes, stating that the advance on the routes was foiled. ;14 September Pro-Hadi forces advanced and captured Al Hudaydah University with reports of continued clashes between pro-Hadi and Houthi forces occurring south of the city. ;24 October One Saudi-led coalition airstrike hit a busy vegetable market in the town of Bayt el-Faqih south of the Hodeida city, killed 19 civilians including two children. Third phase ;1 November On the first of November, the coalition deployed approximately 10,000 additional reinforcements to take part in a new offensive in Al Hudaydah. ;3 November Over 200 airstrikes were reported around the Hudaydah area, along with intense fighting around the airport and the University of Hodeidah. ;4 November Geert Cappelaere, UNICEF regional coordinator, described Yemen as "a living hell for children... a living hell for every single boy and girl" citing death of one child every 10 minutes. He further added that "with any assault on Hodedia, we not only fear for the lives of the thousands of children in Hodedia, we also fear for the impact on children and population, particularly those living in the northern part of the country." ;6 November A Save the Children heath facility was damaged in the fighting. UNICEF reported that fighting had reached "dangerously close" to the Al Thawra hospital. Houthi fighters raided the 22 May Hospital, which they used as a sniper position. ;9 November Houthis state that the coalition progress is limited. Fighting has been concentrated on and around 22 May Hospital in Al Hudaydah which was targeted by coalitions airstrikes and shelling according to the Houthis. Almasirah reported the coalition targeted the 22 May hospital with multiple airstrikes, damaging the hospital. ;10 November Pro Hadi Yemeni forces capture 22 May Hospital and faculty of engineering building of Hodeidah University. Houthi forces also captured several Sudanese soldiers, prompting Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam to urge the Government of Sudan to withdraw the troops. Houthi Information Minister Abdul Salam Ali Jaber defected to Saudi Arabia, stating during a press conference that he was "forced to work with the coup-led government". During the conference, an unidentified reporter threw a shoe at him and expressed anger at him on behalf of Yemenis for allying with the Houthis and Iranians. ;14 November Saudi led forces were ordered by the coalition to temporarily halt their offensive against Houthi forces. One airstrike hit a bus outside of the city limits of Hodeidah, killing 7 civilians. Rebels also claimed to have fired a ballistic missile into Saudi Arabia. ;20 November Fighting continued in the al-Saleh district and along Khamsin Street in the center of Hodeidah. The Houthi-run Almasirah TV channel claimed Houthi forces attacked government forces on the road between Hodeidah and Sanaa. Addressing the crowds via televised speech, Ansar Allah leader, Abdul Malik Al Houthi said that the unjust aggression is attacking the identity, dignity and sovereignty of Yemen and that the people of Yemen reserve the right to self-defense. ;23 November UN Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths arrived in Hodeidah to hold negotiations with Houthi rebels. ;26 November According to pro-Houthi Saba News Agency, displaced citizens of Hudayda held a rally in Al Mahwit to protest the Saudi-led attacks on Yemen. ;27 November Saba News Agency reported several aerial attacks and artillery shells by coalition against residential areas in Hudayda. It also reported the downing of two coalition UAVs by a Houthi-allied wing of the Yemeni army. SABA also reported that Houthi fighters had repelled coalition "mercenaries" around Kilo 16. ;3 December A flight chartered by the United Nations evacuated 50 wounded Houthi fighters to Muscat, Oman for medical treatment, as part of the peace talks. Offensive pause and Stockholm ceasefire agreement A UN-brokered ceasefire was agreed upon on 13 December 2018, giving both parties 21 days to fully withdraw their troops from the city. A flight chartered by the United Nations evacuated 50 wounded Houthi fighters to Muscat, Oman for medical treatment, as part of the peace talks. In an interview with Al Akhbar on 27 December, the spokesman for Houthi-aligned forces stated that the coalition has violated the ceasefire several times since its start in 13 December. He also said they have evidence that the coalition is transferring Al-Qaeda and ISIS terrorists from Syria to use them as their proxies in their war against the Houthis as part of a two million-dollar agreement with the terrorists. Stockholm agreement Through UN lead effort, officials from both the Houthi Yemeni government and internationally recognized Yemeni government agreed to meet in Stockholm, Sweden to agree on peace terms regarding the battle of Al Hudaydah. The Agreement constituted three parts. • A ceasefire in the city of Hudaydah and the ports of Hudaydah, Salif, and Ras Issa, as well as withdrawal and redeployment of both warring forces. • An opening of humanitarian corridors for the movement of aid via these ports to impoverished areas of Yemen • A prisoner swap between warring factions aiming to release more than 15,000 prisoners and detainees. The agreement was spearheaded by the UN amid increasing concerns of humanitarian disaster in Yemen. Al Hudaydah is seen as the major port that facilitates the delivery of humanitarian aid to the rest of Yemen. The UN brokered ceasefire was organized by UN special envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths, while the main two officials representing the warring factions were Mohamed Abdel Salam, the Houthi spokesman, and Khaled al-Yamani, the Foreign Minister of the Internationally recognized Yemeni government. The agreement was hailed as a major step towards a peace process in Yemen, However, the agreement was never fully implemented, and no detailed arrangement for the withdrawal of forces was made, leading to an impasse. and Hadi's forces have accused the Houthis of repeatedly violating the ceasefire around Hudaydah. UN Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement In January 2019, the UN Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement began. Houthi takeover In November 2021, Houthi forces completely occupied Hudaydah after the withdrawal of Yemeni government forces from the city. == Effect on maritime traffic and threats of strait closure ==

On 26 July, Saudi Arabia confirmed that Houthis hit a Saudi oil tanker off the western coast. Saudi energy minister announced on 26 July that the country temporarily ceases oil shipment through Bab-el-Mandeb straight after two Saudi vessels were hit by the Houthi movement. The decision led to increase in oil prices. The Houthi officials had earlier threatened that they would block the vital strait to force the coalition to stop its air strikes on Yemen. Mohammed al-Houthi said that they are able to reach high seas and Saudi ports but they want to keep the strait open in order not to give the coalition an excuse to justify their ongoing war. Houthi's retaliation On 27 July, Muhammed Abdel Salam, a senior Houthi spokesman warned that the coalition's cities would be targeted in response to their offense on Al Hudaydah stating: "From now on, the capitals of the Arab coalition members will no longer be safe". This followed Houthi's claim that they had targeted UAE international airport in Abu Dhabi, which was denied by UAE authorities. On 27 July, in response to the Houthi attack against two Saudi Arabia's oil tankers, the Saudi-led coalition intensified airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas in Hodeidah, reportedly the airstrikes targeted military police headquarters and other bases controlled by the Houthi fighters in Hodeidah, causing damage to the city's infrastructure. As a result, dozens of families were forced to flee their homes following the intensive airstrikes. Houthis stated they would stop missile strikes at Saudi Arabia if Saudi-led coalition stopped their airstrikes against them. == Continued UN attempt for political solution ==

On 16 June, Martin Griffiths, the UN special envoy to Yemen, traveled to the Houthi-held capital Sanaa to persuade the Houthis to give up control of Al Hudaydah port amid growing fears that the battle will cut the only lifeline to the country's population. On 30 June, the coalition spokesman announced a temporary pause of the offensive for progress of political dialogue. However, Houthi spokesman, Abdl al-Salam called the UAE's declaration of ceasefire "deception", saying that the assaults on the West coast has not stopped. Houthis deputy prime minister, Hussein Maqbuli, discussed in Sana with the UN coordinator, Lise Grande the conditions of over 24,000 internally displaced families in Yemen who according to Maqbuli were intimidated and compelled by the coalition to evacuate their villages and towns. On 30 January 2019, a UN de-mining team was fired on as they were trying to clear access to the Al Hudaydah grain silos, with both warring parties blaming each other for the incident. == Impact on the humanitarian situation ==

Reuters reported on 16 June that the battle led to the closure of the northern entrance of the western city Hodeidah, which leads to Sanaa, blocking a main exit out of the city and making it harder to transport goods from the country's largest port to mountainous regions. Houthi deputy prime minister claimed that the coalition has forced over 24000 families to evacuate their towns and villages. UNICEF and UN Humanitarian Coordinator, stated that the coalition airstrikes on infrastructure and Houthi trench digging tactics which disrupt water pipes have put the lives of innocent civilians at risk and are undermining UN efforts to prevent further escalation of the humanitarian disaster, warning of a possibility of an uncontrollable cholera epidemic. On 29 July, UN Humanitarian Coordinator, Lise Grande, also issued a statement in response to a 23 July Saudi airstrike on a water facility in Hodaida saying that the recent airstrikes are putting innocent civilians at extreme risk. The statement read "despite working under some of the most difficult conditions imaginable, we’ve reached 80 percent of the people displaced by fighting with some form of assistance. Cholera is already present in neighborhoods across the city and governorate. Damage to sanitation, water and health facilities jeopardizes everything we are trying to do. We could be one airstrike away from an unstoppable epidemic." CARE International warned that Yemeni food supplies might run out in two or three months if the Hodaida port is sealed off or put out of action. On 7 November, Amnesty International stated that Houthi troops took up sniper position on top of 22 May hospital, violating international law and placing civilians inside in danger. The Red Sea Mills was previously reported to be in pro-coalition held territory during coalition forces advances prior to the ceasefire. ==Reactions==

• Supreme Political Council Houthi leader Mohammed Ali al-Houthi blamed the assault on Western inaction, saying that the British assured them a week earlier that no coalition troops would attack Hudayda "without their agreement and assistance". • '''''' On 13 June 2018, the United Kingdom requested an emergency session of the United Nations Security Council to discuss the battle. More than forty members of the Parliament of the United Kingdom have called on Prime Minister Theresa May to call for a ceasefire and to stop supplying weapons to coalition nations if necessary. • '''''' Prior to the beginning of the fighting, members of the United States House of Representatives sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Mattis, urging the United States Department of Defense to attempt to prevent or delay the assault. The United States did not express opposition to the offense and has offered airstrike target assistance and qualified support, but noted increasing concerns regarding humanitarian consequences. • '''''': UNICEF issued a warning that the attack could threaten the lives of 300,000 children in the populated area and prevent food delivery to as many as 250,000 of the 600,000 population of Al Hudaydah. However, the United Nations Security Council rejected a call for a ceasefire and the immediate withdrawal of the Saudi led forces, but has instead urged sides to uphold international humanitarian law during the battle. ==See also==