An official for the Saudi-led alliance said that 10 pro-government troops have been killed since the ceasefire went into force (File pic – AFP)
Sporadic clashes have erupted in Yemen's flashpoint city of Hodeidah, just before a United Nations-led truce monitoring team convened the warring parties for the first time on Wednesday.
Government forces, backed by a Saudi-led coalition, and Houthi rebels exchanged gunfire on Wednesday in the latest breach of the ceasefire.
The sound of heavy artillery could be heard to the east of the Red Sea city, with clashes stopping after a few hours.
A truce in Hodeidah and its surroundings went into effect on 18 December but has remained shaky, with the two sides accusing each other of violations.
An official for the Saudi-led alliance said on Tuesday that 10 pro-government troops have been killed since the ceasefire went into force, accusing the Houthis of 183 violations.
The rebels, in turn, said on the same day that they have recorded at least 31 violations in the past 24 hours by pro-government troops.
Truce meeting
Retired Dutch general Patrick Cammaert, who arrived in Hodeida on Sunday, is heading a joint committee including members of the government and the Houthis to monitor the truce.
According to the UN, Cammaert will chair a meeting of the joint committee on Wednesday, the AFP news agency reported.
The meeting "is taking place as planned with all members attending", a UN official who did not want to be named told AFP, without disclosing the exact location.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric has described the meeting as "one of the priorities" of Cammaert's mission.
Yemen's warring sides agreed on the ceasefire to halt a devastating offensive by government forces and the coalition against rebel-held Hodeidah at peace talks in Sweden this month.
The UN monitoring team aims to secure the functioning of the lifeline port of Hodeida and supervise the withdrawal of fighters from the city.
The coalition official warned Tuesday of a renewed offensive on Hodeida if violations of the ceasefire persist.
"We look forward to supporting Cammaert in his efforts… we genuinely hope he succeeds, but if not, we reserve the right to recommence an offensive to liberate the city," said the official who spoke on condition anonymity.
Around 10,000 people have been killed since the coalition intervened in 2015, according to the World Health Organisation, although rights groups say the death toll could be five times higher.
The conflict has unleashed a major humanitarian crisis and pushed 14 million Yemenis to the brink of famine.
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