White House Warns U.A.E. Against Hodeidah Attack in Yemen

FROM EIR DAILY ALERT

White House Warns U.A.E. Against Hodeidah Attack in Yemen

June 6, 2018 (EIRNS)—The White House is explicitly warning the United Arab Emirates not to go ahead with the assault on the Hodeidah port city in Yemen, reported Reuters last night. Hodeidah port is the only source for food, medicine, and supplies for many people in Yemen.

An unnamed spokesperson for the White House National Security Council said Washington opposed any effort by the Emirates and Yemeni troops it backs to seize the city.

“The United States has been clear and consistent that we will not support actions that destroy key infrastructure or that are likely to exacerbate the dire humanitarian situation that has expanded in this stalemated conflict,”

said the spokesperson. “We expect all parties to abide by the Law of Armed Conflict and avoid targeting civilians or commercial infrastructure.”

Another anonymous Western official was quoted by Reuters: “In terms of an operation on Hodeidah, we’ve been quite clear that we want to engage on the political track.” He further said that the UN envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths “now has the best chance of anyone in quite some time of getting it moving.”

“This is a point that we’ve made at the top level,” the official stated.

“The Saudis and Emiratis have made clear that they would not move without a joint understanding from their friends and partners of what the next steps are—what the day after will be—if there were an assault on Hodeidah.”