Government-allied forces leave Yemeni city, rebels re-enter

By AHMED AL-HAJ
Associated Press

SANAA, Yemen (AP) — Yemeni officials and the U.N. say forces loyal to the country’s internationally recognized government have withdrawn from the strategic port city of Hodeida. That has allowed the Houthi rebels to retake key positions in the city. The pro-government militias in this part of Yemen were mainly founded and funded by the United Arab Emirates, an ally in the Saudi-led coalition waging war against the rebels. The forces said late Friday they redeployed from Hodeida because there was no need to stay in the city after a U.N.-brokered cease-fire. They also said the rebels repeatedly violated the 2018 deal that ended their offensive against Hodeida.