Yemen’s warring parties are expected on Monday to start implementing the first phase of the agreement on the Red Sea city of Hodeidah, through the redeployment of forces under the supervision of the United Nations.
Under the deal, Houthi militias should pull back five kilometers from the ports of Saleef and Ras Issa while legitimate forces should withdraw one kilometer from the city’s “Kilo 7” eastern suburb.
The pullback would come simultaneously with the removal of landmines.
Informed sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the head of the UN observer mission in Yemen, Danish former general Michael Lollesgaard, is expected to personally supervise the redeployment of forces in the two concerned ports.
The sources added that a team of observers from the legitimate government would help verify the pullout.
The legitimacy had previously confirmed it would not start redeploying until the insurgents evacuate the two small ports of Saleef and Ras Issa.
A small team of UN observers arrived in Hodeidah after a ceasefire went into effect on Dec. 18 to oversee troop redeployment by both sides.
After completing the first phase of the Stockholm Agreement, Yemen’s warring parties should move to phase two by pulling back forces from the city and its ports.
“Both legitimate government and Houthi representatives from the Redeployment Coordination Committee (RCC) agreed to start implementing the second stage of the Stockholm Agreement in 11 days,” the sources said.
On Sunday, Houthis intensified their attacks on army positions and residential areas south of Hodeidah.
Local forces said that the militias pounded homes in the two directorates of Al-Tahita and Habas with mortar shells, leaving material damages and terrorizing women and children.
