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Yemen crisis: Hudaydah ceasefire 'broken within minutes' | Yemen crisis: Hudaydah ceasefire 'broken within minutes' |
(about 7 hours later) | |
A ceasefire in Yemen's war was broken minutes after coming into effect, pro-government officials say. | A ceasefire in Yemen's war was broken minutes after coming into effect, pro-government officials say. |
The warring sides had agreed for a truce deal to be implemented in the port city of Hudaydah at midnight local time (21:00 GMT) on Tuesday. | |
But there have been reports of sporadic clashes between the Houthi rebels and pro-government forces in the city, which is a vital gateway for aid. | But there have been reports of sporadic clashes between the Houthi rebels and pro-government forces in the city, which is a vital gateway for aid. |
The rebels have reportedly shelled government forces in eastern Hudaydah. | The rebels have reportedly shelled government forces in eastern Hudaydah. |
One pro-government official told AFP news agency clashes were ongoing. | One pro-government official told AFP news agency clashes were ongoing. |
Both sides agreed to the ceasefire at United Nations-sponsored talks in Sweden last Thursday, and some hoped it would be the starting point to bringing nearly four years of civil war to a close. | Both sides agreed to the ceasefire at United Nations-sponsored talks in Sweden last Thursday, and some hoped it would be the starting point to bringing nearly four years of civil war to a close. |
But the truce was delayed on Friday following reports of strikes and fierce clashes. | But the truce was delayed on Friday following reports of strikes and fierce clashes. |
Hudaydah, 140km (90 miles) west of the capital Sanaa, was Yemen's fourth-largest city and a major economic hub before rebels took control of it in late 2014. | Hudaydah, 140km (90 miles) west of the capital Sanaa, was Yemen's fourth-largest city and a major economic hub before rebels took control of it in late 2014. |
Since June it has been under assault by a Saudi-led coalition backing the pro-government troops. | Since June it has been under assault by a Saudi-led coalition backing the pro-government troops. |
As a port, it is also a lifeline for just under two-thirds of Yemen's population, who rely almost entirely on imports for food, fuel and medicine. | As a port, it is also a lifeline for just under two-thirds of Yemen's population, who rely almost entirely on imports for food, fuel and medicine. |
More than 22 million Yemenis need some form of aid, and eight million do not know how they will obtain their next meal. | More than 22 million Yemenis need some form of aid, and eight million do not know how they will obtain their next meal. |