Saudi-led coalition blocks 100 food, commercial vessels to enter Port of Hodeidah

HODEIDAH, April 18 (YPA) – Red Sea Ports Foundation condemned the undeclared blockade imposed on Hodeidah port by the Saudi-led coalition, accusing Saudi alliance of seeking to empty the port, which 70% of the country’s imports get through it and serving some 21 million citizens.

In a press statement, the foundation confirmed that the “coalition” continues to tighten the blockade on the port of Hodeidah and, since the beginning of this year, the coalition is trying to empty it from its navigational cycle by blocking food vessels to access to the ports of the Foundation, in an undeclared blockade.

According to the statement, since the beginning of this year, Saudi-led coalition forces have blocked more than 100 food and commercial vessels from entering the port without justification.

The statement indicated that the food vessels arriving from the beginning of this year to the port were receiving compulsory orders from the coalition forces to change their course.
The foundation described the acts of the Saudi-led coalition as “maritime piracy”, and confirmed that such practices are an apparent violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention, which states that in the period of war and crisis, ports and outlets must be avoided from any violations.

It alose confirmed its adherence to international standards issued by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) of the United Nations, noting that ships entering the port of Hodeidah, have clearance from the UN Office of Protection and Inspection, but they forced the ships to change their route.

The foundation called on all international, humanitarian and human rights organizations, to stand and solidarity with the Yemeni people against the practices of the Saudi-led coalition against the Port of Hodeidah, and working to lift the blockade on Yemen.

Emad