Yemen’s Houthi militias have increased their violations of the truce in the province of Hodeidah after threatening to empty around one million oil barrels in the Red Sea.
High-ranking militia figure Mohammad Ali al-Houthi claimed in a tweet that the oil stored in the Safer tanker began leaking.
The Safer tanker is a floating oil storage and offloading facility about eight kilometers off the coast of Ras Isa terminal in the Red Sea.
Al-Houthi said the legitimate government and the Arab Coalition should be held responsible for preventing the militia from selling the stored oil.
An environmental disaster would hit the Red Sea if Houthis carry out their threat by emptying the oil stored at the Safer tanker.
Meanwhile, a military source in Yemen's pro-government forces stationed in Hodeidah said that Houthis tried to launch a wide operation south of the port city to recuperate the airport.
“Hundreds of Houthi militias took part in the operation but government forces east and south of Hodeidah foiled the attempt and forced attackers to withdraw after suffering scores of casualties,” the source said.
The Houthi measures in Hodeidah came few days after Special Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths announced that the legitimate government and Houthis have accepted a detailed redeployment plan prepared by General Michael Lollesgaard for phase one of the redeployment in the Red Sea port city.
