Fighting Continues in Hodeidah; '85,000 Children Have Died from Hunger'

Despite claims from the warring parties in Yemen about halting hostilities and the United Nations' efforts to resume peace talks, reports indicate that clashes and violence continue in the port city of Hodeidah. Simultaneously, the non-governmental organization 'Save the Children' has estimated that since the beginning of Saudi Arabia's attacks on Yemen to restore power to President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, 85,000 children under five have died from severe hunger and malnutrition. News agencies report that fighting between Houthi rebels and government forces, along with the Saudi-led coalition, has resumed. The Associated Press reported that the fighting intensified late on Monday, November 28. France's news agency quoted military officials describing the recent violence as the most intense clash between the parties since last week. The Houthis stated they launched a ballistic missile at Saudi Arabia in response to an airstrike and incursions into 'border' areas by both sides. Yemeni government officials claim the Houthis targeted the center of Hodeidah and areas under government control with missiles and mortars. The Houthis also claimed to have attacked government forces on the main road to Hodeidah and the capital, Sana'a. A Houthi militant was seen in Sana'a on Tuesday alongside Houthi flags, chanting slogans against America and Israel and cursing Jews. The Houthis are supported by the Islamic Republic. Last week, the intensity of fighting in Hodeidah had decreased, and news agencies reported that Saudi Arabia and its allies had ordered a halt to operations in the port. Following this, on Sunday, the Houthis announced in a statement that they would cease their missile and drone attacks on the Saudi-led coalition. Martin Griffiths, the UN special envoy for Yemen, is attempting to resume negotiations after the last round of peace talks, from which the Houthis abstained, but the resumption of violence diminishes hope for a successful outcome. Three years ago, after the Houthis took power in Sana'a and Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi fled to Aden and then Riyadh, Saudi Arabia formed a coalition and began its campaign in Yemen in April 2015 to restore Hadi's power. Analysts describe the Yemen war as an indirect confrontation between Iran on one side and Saudi Arabia and its allies on the other. 'Save the Children' has released an estimate indicating that at least 85,000 children under five in Yemen have died from severe malnutrition since spring 2015. The organization stated that 'children who die in this manner suffer excruciating pain as their bodies gradually lose function before ultimately failing.' 'Save the Children' noted that for every Yemeni child who dies from gunfire or bombing, dozens die from hunger and malnutrition. Human rights organizations have criticized both the Arab coalition and Houthi rebels, calling for an immediate end to hostilities. The Arab coalition's efforts to capture Hodeidah port face severe warnings and concerns from human rights organizations and the UN, stating that these battles and the coalition's blockade have placed Yemen on the brink of an unprecedented humanitarian disaster. On the other hand, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates announced on Tuesday that they would allocate $500 million in aid for Yemeni citizens facing famine. Senior Democrats in the US Congress have called for an end to aid to Saudi Arabia. Adam Schiff, who will chair the House Intelligence Committee in the new Congress, has called for an immediate halt to US military assistance to Saudi operations in Yemen and the suspension of arms contracts with Riyadh. These criticisms are intertwined with the issue of the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a journalist critical of the Saudi crown prince. Senator Dianne Feinstein has called for sanctions against Riyadh and stated that she will no longer vote for any arms contracts with Saudi Arabia. President Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that his administration would remain a 'steadfast partner' of Saudi Arabia even if Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman was aware of the plot to murder Jamal Khashoggi. He emphasized that he does not intend to cancel arms contracts with Riyadh because 'if we foolishly cancel these contracts, Russia and China will benefit greatly.'