07/07
Hasan Nasrallah, leader of Hezbollah, strengthened his rhetorical support for the Houthis, announcing in his June 29th speech that he wished to be with those fighting on the west coast [AR]. The Iraqi al-Shuhada Brigade has offered to send fighters to the west coast, as well[AR]. Observers say that a small number of Hezbollah advisors are working with the Houthis in San’a and Hudaydah.
07/09
Yemen’s Interior Minister, Ahmed al-Maysari, has called for UAE-run prisons to be shut down or handed over to Yemeni authorities. Since The Associated Press reported on abuse in the secret prisons, 80 detainees have been released.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) has released its Humanitarian Update on Yemen for the last month, covering the effects of the fighting on various governorates, access to basic commodities and healthcare, and funding in the region. The report mentions the increasing number of health facilities in Hudaydah that are closing down due to ongoing fighting in the governorate.
07/10
Al-Jazeera released a feature exploring the “perils of being a Yemeni journalist.” The piece covers press violations on both sides of the conflict, creating an “atmosphere of silence” in the country. Yemen dropped to 167 out of 180 countries in the 2017 World Press Freedom Index.
The secretary of the Association for the Preservation of Historic Landmarks has called on parties in Yemen to stay out of Zabid, a town of historic, cultural, and religious importance according to UNESCO.
UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths met with President Hadi in Aden to discuss “the humanitarian side in Yemen and the release of all captives and detainees from all parties.”
The World Health Organization declared that Hudaydah had the highest reported incidences of suspected cholera cases of any city, reiterating the critical state of health conditions in the city.
07/11
In response to Hasan Nasrallah’s speech, Yemen’s foreign minister has filed a complaint with the United Nations over Hezbollah’s “blatant intervention” in the country.
The Guardian followed up on the anti-refugee protests that Yemenis are facing in South Korea, highlighting a petition calling on the government to revoke their refugee status, which has gained over 700,000 signatures. Despite this, people in Jeju — the island where the Yemeni refugees have temporarily settled — have treated the refugees kindly, offering them discounted rooms, blankets and other resources.
07/12
An Amnesty International report has been released detailing abuse and torture in UAE-run prisons in southern Yemen, and the effects on the families of those missing. Amnesty International investigated 51 cases, of which most involved enforced disappearance, and 19 remain missing.
KSA Ambassador to the UN Abdullah al-Muallimi reaffirmed that the Hudaydah offensive has been paused to give diplomacy time to work, but went on to state that "up to now it doesn't seem to me that Griffiths can achieve a sufficient breakthrough" in the Houthi position, and that the Houthis are using the negotiations as a stalling tactic, which can't be allowed to continue indefinitely [AR].
King Salman of Saudi Arabia has reportedly preemptively pardoned troops fighting in Yemen from ”their respective military and disciplinary penalties, in regard of some rules and disciplines,” absolving them of consequences for actions in the country.
07/13
UK Prime Minister Theresa May and US President Donald Trump discussed the “destabilising influence of Iran in the Middle East,” ways to “push back on Iran in Yemen,” and the humanitarian situation in the country.
07/14
The Saudi-led coalition has given control of the al-Ghaydah airport in al-Mahrah to Yemeni civil authorities. Mahri locals have protested the coalition’s presence in the governorate for months, inspiring further protests in other areas.
07/16
Five civilians were reportedly killed after a Houthi missile hit a wedding celebration in al-Jawf province.
The island of Soqotra is still recovering from Cyclone Mekunu, which damaged its port and many ships, as well as inland structures. Reconstruction on the island has been further hindered by the presence of UAE forces.
A southern military commander, Abu Yamama, is threatening the removal of northern troops from the south and singling out Tareq Saleh for particular scorn.