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DPA
SANAA
FIGHTING in Yemen's Red Sea city of Hodeida ceased on Tuesday, residents and a medical source said, following days of heavy fighting between pro-government forces and Houthi rebels.
Residents said there have been no clashes and airstrikes since late Monday, as cautious calm dominated the city. However, residents in neighbourhoods where battles took place continued to flee their houses, fearing that fighting would resume, residents added.
Neither side has announced a break in fighting.
UN envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths welcomed the de-escalation as"a crucial step to prevent further humanitarian suffering and to build a more enabling environment for the political process."
"I call upon all parties to the conflict to show continued restraint," he said."The logistical preparations are under way to prepare for the upcoming round of consultations. We are in a position to move forward."
Khaled Attiya, spokesman of al-Thawra hospital, said the situation is"stable now" and the hospital continues to provide medical services.
In recent days, fighting was near the hospital, the main public hospital operating in the city, with shrapnel flying inside the building, Attiya added.
"Some of the rooms and front doors were affected, prompting some patients to escape, fearing the heavy shelling," he said.
Government-allied forces, backed by a coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, began an offensive to retake Hodeida in June.
The government forces have since seized~Hodeida's airport and are pushing to retake the vital port city, which is an entry point for some 80 percent of Yemen's imports and aid.
