Act of sabotage?
UN-backed de-miners come under fire in Yemen
De-mining team come under attack while trying to clear access to grain stores in port city Hodeidah as warring parties trade accusations.
Wednesday 30/01/2019
Act of sabotage?
ADEN - A de-mining team came under attack while trying to clear access to grain silos in Yemen's port city of Hodeidah, a lifeline for millions facing starvation, with both parties to the conflict accusing the other of opening fire late on Tuesday.
The Huthi movement said one of its members was killed when a de-mining team was fired upon by the Saudi-led coalition. The internationally recognised Yemeni government said Huthis fired on a UN-backed team trying to reach the mills.
The World Food Programme (WFP) has since September been unable to access the Red Sea Mills, where 51,000 tonnes of UN wheat is stored - enough to feed 3.7 million people for a month.
The United Nations was not immediately available for comment. The WFP said it was aware of the reports but declined to comment further.
The grain storage and milling facility is located at a frontline flashpoint on the eastern outskirts of the city. Last week, two silos were damaged by fire caused by suspected mortar shelling.