ABU DHABI: The United Arab Emirates yesterday announced it had halted the offensive it is backing against Huthi rebels in Yemen’s port city of Hodeida, to give a chance to UN diplomatic efforts, reports AFP.

In a series of tweets, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said the pause was aimed at pursuing negotiations for an unconditional rebel withdrawal from the port but warned that full military action could resume.

The weeks-long offensive on Hodeida—Yemen’s main port—has raised fears of further suffering and deprivation in a country already deeply shaken by years of war between the Iran-backed Huthis and President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi’s Gulf-backed government.