Yemen’s warring parties on Thursday reached a landmark agreement to withdraw their forces from Hodeidah city and its key ports as part of a wider ceasefire deal, that officials have described as a promising step towards easing the country’s humanitarian crisis and de-escalating fighting in the war-torn country.
The National obtained a copy of the agreement announced by UN chief Antonio Guterres at the closing session of UN-backed consultations in the rural Swedish town of Rimbo.
Here are some of the main points included in the deal.
Ceasefire
An immediate ceasefire by warring parties will go into effect in the city and in the three ports of Hodeidah, Ras Issa and Al Saqef.
Troop withdrawal
According to the agreement, armed forces from both sides will withdraw from three ports, Hodeidah, Ras Issa and Al Saqef within days. A redeployment of both forces will follow, limited to agreed-upon posts outside of Hodeida city, within a maximum of 21 days from the ceasefire. The parties shall abstain from dispatching any military reinforcements to the city and ports of Hodeidah, Salif and Ras Issa, the document of the agreement states.
Redeployment Co-ordination Committee
A Redeployment Co-ordination Committee chaired by the United Nations and comprised of, but not limited to, members of the warring parties shall be established to oversee the cease-fire and the re-deployment. The committee will supervise the re-deployment and will monitor compliance with the deal. It shall also oversee de-mining operations in the three port. The chairman of the committee will report on a weekly basis to the Security Council.
Deployment of neutral forces
The agreement places the Red Sea port city under control of local forces recognised by the Yemeni government. Yemeni Foreign Minister Khaled Al Yamani, declined to specify whether the forces would be solely state security forces but said they would report to the "central authority.” Such a plan has been long-mooted as a way to solve the protracted battle for the city. Meanwhile, the UN will play a "leading role" in supporting management and inspections at the ports.
Establishment of humanitarian corridors
The UN will play an important role in monitoring the ports and ensuring that humanitarian aid gets delivered to millions of Yemenis on the brink of famine. By demilitarizing Hodeidah, the UN will deliver aid to those living in areas whose supply routes have been cut off from the intensification of the battle on the west coast. The east-west road has been cut off during intensified clashes between the two sides.
The deal also calls for the creation of a joint committee overseen by the United Nations to supervise the establishment of humanitarian corridors to Taiz, Yemen's third city.
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Read More:
Yemen talks: warring parties agree on Hodeidah ceasefire, UN says
Houthi rebels continue attacks after Hodeidah peace deal announced
UAE welcomes breakthrough in Yemen peace talks
A lonely fight for Yemen’s only female delegate to UN-backed talks
What is the definition of an SME?
SMEs in the UAE are defined by the number of employees, annual turnover and sector. For example, a “small company” in the services industry has six to 50 employees with a turnover of more than Dh2 million up to Dh20m, while in the manufacturing industry the requirements are 10 to 100 employees with a turnover of more than Dh3m up to Dh50m, according to Dubai SME, an agency of the Department of Economic Development.
A “medium-sized company” can either have staff of 51 to 200 employees or 101 to 250 employees, and a turnover less than or equal to Dh200m or Dh250m, again depending on whether the business is in the trading, manufacturing or services sectors.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
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● Company: Bidzi
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More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Sri Lanka squad for tri-nation series
Angelo Mathews (c), Upul Tharanga, Danushka Gunathilaka, Kusal Mendis, Dinesh Chandimal, Kusal Janith Perera, Thisara Perera, Asela Gunaratne, Niroshan Dickwella, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Dushmantha Chameera, Shehan Madushanka, Akila Dananjaya, Lakshan Sandakan and Wanidu Hasaranga
Day 4, Dubai Test: At a glance
Moment of the day Lahiru Gamage appeared to have been hard done by when he had his dismissal of Sami Aslam chalked off for a no-ball. Replays suggested he had not overstepped. No matter. Two balls later, the exact same combination – Gamage the bowler and Kusal Mendis at second slip – combined again to send Aslam back.
Stat of the day Haris Sohail took three wickets for one run in the only over he bowled, to end the Sri Lanka second innings in a hurry. That was as many as he had managed in total in his 10-year, 58-match first-class career to date. It was also the first time a bowler had taken three wickets having bowled just one over in an innings in Tests.
The verdict Just 119 more and with five wickets remaining seems like a perfectly attainable target for Pakistan. Factor in the fact the pitch is worn, is turning prodigiously, and that Sri Lanka’s seam bowlers have also been finding the strip to their liking, it is apparent the task is still a tough one. Still, though, thanks to Asad Shafiq and Sarfraz Ahmed, it is possible.
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Fixtures
Tuesday - 5.15pm: Team Lebanon v Alger Corsaires; 8.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Pharaohs
Wednesday - 5.15pm: Pharaohs v Carthage Eagles; 8.30pm: Alger Corsaires v Abu Dhabi Storms
Thursday - 4.30pm: Team Lebanon v Pharaohs; 7.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Carthage Eagles
Friday - 4.30pm: Pharaohs v Alger Corsaires; 7.30pm: Carthage Eagles v Team Lebanon
Saturday - 4.30pm: Carthage Eagles v Alger Corsaires; 7.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Team Lebanon
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Director: Rohit Shetty
Stars: Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Tiger Shroff, Deepika Padukone
Rating: 3/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
THE APPRENTICE
Director: Ali Abbasi
Starring: Sebastian Stan, Maria Bakalova, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 3/5
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Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
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West Indies v England ODI series:
West Indies squad: Jason Holder (c), Fabian Allen, Devendra Bishoo, Darren Bravo, Chris Gayle, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Evin Lewis, Ashley Nurse, Keemo Paul, Nicholas Pooran, Rovman Powell, Kemar Roach, Oshane Thomas.
Fixtures:
1st ODI - February 20, Bridgetown
2nd ODI - February 22, Bridgetown
3rd ODI - February 25, St George's
4th ODI - February 27, St George's
5th ODI - March 2, Gros Islet
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