Houthis Begin Redeployment of Forces from Hodeidah Port

In accordance with the agreement of Yemeni groups within the framework of the Sweden talks to establish a ceasefire in Hodeidah under the supervision of the United Nations, the Houthis began redeploying their forces from this strategic port on the evening of Friday, December 28. This was reported by Reuters on Saturday, citing a UN source and a spokesperson for the Houthi group. The Iran-backed Houthis committed to withdrawing their forces from Hodeidah province as part of a ceasefire agreement with the government of Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, which is supported by Saudi Arabia. As part of this agreement, an international observer committee has been formed for the withdrawal of military forces from the province, with representatives from both sides participating. Retired General Patrick Cammaert, head of the UN observer group, arrived in Hodeidah last week, and the committee has started its sessions under his supervision, with both sides expected to present their plans for the complete withdrawal from Hodeidah province by January 1. In this context, Reuters reported that the Houthi forces, which control Hodeidah and its strategic port, began their exit from the region on Friday night. The Houthi military spokesperson also confirmed the evacuation of Hodeidah province from Friday evening in accordance with the Sweden agreement in an interview with the group's affiliated Al-Masirah television. The withdrawal of Houthi forces from three ports in this province, namely Hodeidah, Salif, and Ras Isa, is the first step in implementing the Sweden agreement and a precursor to the complete withdrawal of both sides from Hodeidah province. Reuters noted that it is still unclear to what extent the evacuation of these areas by Houthi forces has been completed and who will take control of these ports. There is a possibility that both sides, guided by the UN, will share control of these areas. According to the UN, its observer group is not supposed to be armed or wear uniforms, but rather to assist in inspections and the management of these ports while strengthening the UN presence in them. Yemeni government military officials, who control parts of southern Hodeidah, have not yet expressed confidence regarding the evacuation of these ports by the Houthis. The Hodeidah ceasefire agreement, which has been in effect for 11 days, is described as the first successful step in efforts to end the five-year internal conflict in Yemen and as a confidence-building measure for a broader ceasefire and a framework for political dialogue.