A local Yemeni official said that Iran has doubled its supply of arms to Houthi militias in Yemen during the suspension of the operation to liberate Al-Hodeida. He also revealed that several militia leaders have escaped the city following the strikes launched by the Coalition forces.
In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, the governor of Al-Hodeidah, Dr. Hassan Al-Tahir, said that Iran had supplied weapons to the Houthis during the past period, through large boats, taking advantage of the period during which the army stopped its march towards the city center.
He added that the Houthi militias have brought in a large amount of weapons across the sea, or through mercenaries coming from African countries, exploiting their poor financial situation.
On the political consultations to be held under the auspices of the UN in Geneva next month, the governor of Hodeidah said that these consultations should result in the departure of the militias from Hodeidah and its port.
He stressed that the legitimate government had no choice but to confront the militias militarily to get them out of the city, noting that the army was ready for this option.
Tahir said he did not have high hopes in the role of the United Nations to resolve the crisis, but noted that it was now “necessary to implement the UN resolutions… and to end the suffering of citizens.”
