Arab coalition shows patience as Houthi rebels violate ceasefire

Abu Dhabi - Houthi violations, however, were not as serious as before, said the source who cannot be named.

A fragile United Nations-brokered ceasefire in Hodeida is holding despite Houthi provocations and violations, said the Arab coalition, which added that not a bullet had been fired from their side since Tuesday.
"We have not dropped a single bomb, nor fired a single round of artillery or mortar since the ceasefire began," a source with the Arab coalition told Khaleej Times.
This is in contrast to 30 ceasefire violations on December 18 alone by the rebels, said the source. "The number of violations on December 19 was 23. This was a slight reduction from 30 the previous day."
Houthi violations, however, were not as serious as before, said the source who cannot be named. "Though it is a positive sign, it is still too early to draw concrete conclusions," he said.
Checkpoints are still active and there is no real indication of moves towards withdrawal of forces by both sides, he said.
UN monitor Major-General (Retd) Patrick Cammaert is expected to be in Hodeida today to monitor the UN ceasefire. "We will extend our full support to Major-General Cammaert and we hope to see some positive progress," the source added.
Withdrawal of all troops from the Yemen's besieged Red Sea port city is part of the Stockholm deal agreed between the Yemeni government and Houthi rebels.
The UN official will chair the first meeting of a joint monitoring committee on Saturday, which will have three nominees each from the Houthi and Yemeni side. 
Cammaert will provide weekly reports to the UN on the status of the ceasefire, and if any party breaches it.
The UK foreign secretary Jeremy Hunt on Wednesday said if the warring sides broke the ceasefire, they would face "the full wrath of the UN."
anjana@khaleejtimes.com

• MENA