Hodeida

Why Saudi Arabia’s Bloody US-Backed War in Yemen Will Likely Escalate in 2020

HODEIDA, YEMEN — For many around the world, there are reasons to be optimistic heading into 2020, but the reality on the ground is dashing Yemeni hopes that the new year will bring about an end to Saudi Arabia’s nearly five-year-long war on their country as Western support for oil-rich kingdom continues, particularly from the United States.

Prohibiting Maintenance of Tanker Off Yemeni Coast, Saudis Risk Explosion and Environmental Disaster

HODEIDA, YEMEN — Officials in Yemen’s western port city of Hodeida have expressed concern to MintPress that the deserted Safer FSO vessel, filled with an estimated 1.1 million barrels of crude oil, is vulnerable to an explosion or a leak due to increasing temperature, high humidity, and maintenance failures.

Downing of US MQ-9 Drone Over Hodeida Shows Direct US Involvement in Yemeni War

HODEIDA, YEMEN — News that a U.S. government drone was shot down over Yemen’s port city of Hodeida has provoked anger among local residents, who say it is clear evidence of direct U.S. involvement in a war which has resulted in the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, according to the UN, and has left almost 25 million people in need of aid.

Houthi Withdrawal from Hodeida Port Brings No Peace as Saudis Press Attack

SA’DAH, YEMEN — The familiar sound of heavy artillery once again returned to Yemen’s Hodeida province following a period of relative calm in the strategic coastal region. At least 66 artillery shells and a steady stream of heavy machine-gun fire tore through the village of Al-Shijan on Monday, as Saudi-led forces renewed hostilities in the area following a Houthi withdrawal from Hodeida — a move the UN had hoped would bring some semblance of peace to the region.

Saudi Arabia Detains 174 Yemeni Fishermen and Their Boats in Violation of Ceasefire Provisions

HODEIDA, YEMEN– The Saudi-led Coalition kidnapped more than 170 Yemeni fishermen and seized their boats while they were fishing near the port city of Hodeida this past week. To demonstrate clearly that they posed no threat, the fishermen hung large white flags on the back of their boats and waved fish in the air as Coalition military vessels approached their boats.

Life in Yemen’s Hodeida Now Worse than Before “Ceasefire,” as Saudis Still Intent on City’s Capture

HODEIDA, YEMEN — Yemen’s armed forces, loyal to the Houthis, said that Saudi Arabia and the United Arabian Emirates will be targeted in retaliation for any major attack on the port city of Hodeida, warning that Yemen’s army has advanced aircraft as well as the coordinates of legitimate targets in Riyadh and Abu Dhabi.
This week, Yemeni army spokesman Brigadier Yahya Sare’e said, during a press conference on the occasion of the four-year anniversary of the war on Yemen, that the Yemeni military was ready to retaliate for any major attack on the port city of Hodeida, stating:

Hodeida Residents Brace for the Worst as UN Truce Falters Amid Saudi Military Buildup

HODEIDA, YEMEN — Hundreds of residents from across Yemen’s Red Sea port city of Hodeida took to the streets for the third straight day, calling on the United Nations to take action to implement a troop withdrawal deal between the Houthis and the Saudi-led Coalition that was reached on February 19th. Residents waved Yemeni flags, Kalashnikovs, and banners emblazoned with slogans accusing Saudi Arabia and its coalition allies of undermining the agreement and prolonging the suffering of Yemeni children.

Hope of Hodeida Ceasefire Wanes as Saudis Talks Peace but Bolster Military Presence

HODEIDA, YEMEN — Representatives from Yemen’s Houthis and the Saudi-led Coalition have agreed on Phase 1 of a mutual redeployment of forces under a UN-sponsored deal that would see both sides leave Yemen’s port city of Hodeida after months of failed attempts to implement previous agreements in the Red Sea city.

As Yemeni Fishermen Risk Their Lives to Feed Their Nation, Saudis Use Them for Target Practice


HODEIDA, YEMEN —  “They told us that if we didn’t confess they would kill us and throw our bodies into the sea for the fish and birds to eat,” recalls Omar Ghalib, a Yemeni fisherman who was kidnapped by Saudi fighters and then tortured while out in his boat late one evening in Yemen’s port city of Hodeida.

“We Will Not Stand Idly By”: Yemenis Outraged by Latest Saudi Attack on Fishermen off Hodeida

HODEIDA, YEMEN — At least eight fishermen were killed and five injured off the northern coast of Yemen’s Badh Island on Wednesday, when Saudi Apaches launched airstrikes on their fishing boat in waters near the port city of Hodeida. Ten fishermen are still missing following the strike.
Yasser Abker Ahmed Gethem, a 24-year-old fisherman who was in injured in the strike, recounted the events from a hospital bed in Hodeida Hospital’s emergency room.