Withdrawal underway

The UN confirmed a withdrawal by Yemen’s Huthis from three Red Sea ports had begun yesterday, while a senior pro-government official accused them of faking the pullout. The pullback is a first step in implementing a hard-won ceasefire deal reached between Yemen’s internationally-recognized government and the Iran-backed Huthis late last year. “Yes, it has begun,” said UN spokesman Farhan Haq, when asked whether redeployment of Huthi troops was underway.

Sources close to the Huthis said that the ports were handed over to coastguard personnel who were in charge before the rebels took over almost five years ago. A photographer at Saleef port saw Huthi troops leave the facility, and men dressed in coastguard uniforms enter, adding that these movements were observed by the UN.