UN succeeds in establishing first phase of observation posts in Hodeidah‏

Under direct supervision of the United Nations, the warring parties agreed to jointly establish five observation posts on the military frontlines in different areas of war-torn Hodeidah Province.

Abhijit Guha, head of the UN's cease-fire monitoring team in Hodeidah, along with representatives from the two-warring sides, closely supervised the establishment of the observation posts.

Both warring sides confirmed that the first phase of establishing cease-fire observation posts was completed in Hodeidah despite obstacles.

"After establishing the fourth cease-fire observation posts, today the fifth observation post was set up and it's the last step," said Wadah Dubaish, spokesman for the join pro-government forces in Hodeidah.

"All the observation posts were activated and started working by closely monitoring the cessation of military activities in Hodeidah," he said according to Xinhua.

"Around 16 military officers representing the government forces and the Houthis equally started their work at the observation posts in Hodeidah," the spokesman added.

According to Yemeni officials, the second phase of establishing cease-fire observation posts will be implemented on the frontlines of Hodeidah's countryside.

On Saturday, Guha, along with his assistants, began implementing the first phase of establishing cease-fire observation posts in Hodeidah.

Martin Griffiths, the UN special envoy for Yemen, welcomed the establishment of the joint cease-fire observation posts by Yemeni parties along the frontlines of Hodeidah city.

"This is tangible progress toward the implementation of the Hodeidah agreement that will enhance de-escalation in flashpoint areas and contribute to saving lives," he said.

Hodeidah is the main Yemeni port city on the Red Sea and key lifeline entry of most Yemen's commercial imports and humanitarian aid.

The UN-sponsored cease-fire agreement reached in Stockholm in December 2018 was seen as the first phase toward achieving a comprehensive political solution to the civil war.