Yemen Truce Monitoring Mission to Convene on U.N.-Hired Vessel: Sources, by Reuters

ADEN, Yemen – A committee responsible for overseeing a ceasefire in Hodeidah will hold its next meeting on a ship off the coast of the port city, as the parties involved in Yemen’s conflict have failed to agree on a meeting location, according to Yemeni and United Nations sources reported on Saturday.

The U.N. is working to implement a truce and troop withdrawal agreement in Hodeidah, which serves as the primary entry point for most of Yemen’s imports. This effort is part of a broader initiative to bring an end to a war that has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and left millions facing starvation.

The U.N. envoy for Yemen has urged the conflicting parties to expedite the withdrawal of their troops from the port. Meanwhile, international aid organizations report that conditions for many starving individuals are worsening rapidly.

Since the ceasefire came into effect a month ago, it has mostly been upheld; however, there have been ongoing skirmishes between the Houthi movement and a Saudi-led coalition fighting to restore the internationally recognized government.

The Redeployment Coordination Committee (RCC), chaired by the U.N. and comprising representatives from both sides, convenes regularly to monitor the ceasefire’s implementation. According to one source, the U.N. has arranged for a ship to serve as the headquarters for the RCC meetings, with another source indicating that representatives from the conflicting parties will be transported to the ship via U.N. helicopters.

Previously, RCC meetings occurred in areas controlled by the Houthis, but efforts to hold them in coalition-controlled zones have been unsuccessful because the Houthis have been hesitant to cross the frontline.

As of now, troops have not withdrawn, missing the January 7 target, and residents alongside aid workers have reported that barricades, trenches, and roadblocks have been strengthened.

Under the terms of the agreement, both parties consented to the introduction of international monitors in Hodeidah. The next RCC meeting is anticipated to take place next week following the arrival of Danish Major General Michael Anker Lollesgaar, who was appointed to succeed retired General Patrick Cammaert. Lollesgaar is expected to reach Amman on Sunday before continuing to Hodeidah.

The Houthis control Hodeidah, while coalition forces are stationed on its outskirts. Disagreements persist regarding control of the city and port after the withdrawal of forces, with both sides accusing each other of violating the agreement.

U.N. envoy Martin Griffiths has been actively facilitating discussions between the conflicting parties to salvage the deal, which represents the first significant diplomatic breakthrough in nearly four years of war.