ADEN, Yemen, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- Militants of Yemen's Houthi rebel group launched an attack against the pro-government forces in the country's Red Sea port city of Hodeidah on Saturday, a military official told Xinhua.
"A major attack was launched by the rebels against the government-held sites in the coastal district of Al Khawkhah, killing six soldiers including a colonel," the local military source said on condition of anonymity.
Intense armed confrontations broke out between the Houthis and the pro-government forces following the surprise rebel assault, he said.
The source said the rebels later fired missiles and used explosive-laden drones randomly, forcing the pro-government forces to evacuate their sites in Al Khawkhah.
He pointed out that the Houthi attack against Al Khawkhah comes following the sudden withdrawal of the joint pro-government forces from various locations of Hodeidah's outskirts.
Following the redeployment of the joint pro-government forces in Hodeidah, the United Nations Mission to support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA) said that it was not informed in advance of the movements.
"UNMHA is liaising with the parties to establish the facts on the ground and calls on them to ensure the safety and security of civilians in and around those areas where shifts in frontlines have taken place," it said in a brief press statement.
Hodeidah, a vital lifeline for millions facing starvation, has seen a shaky cease-fire between the government and the Houthi group since they reached a UN-sponsored truce in Stockholm in December 2018.
The truce was seen as the first phase toward a nationwide cease-fire to end Yemen's years-long military conflict, but fighting continued across the impoverished Arab country.
Hodeidah is under the control of the Houthis, while the government forces have advanced to the southern and eastern districts. Enditem