UN envoy invites Yemen's warring parties to talks on Sept 6

The UN envoy for Yemen has invited the warring parties to talks in September aimed at ending the three-year conflict, saying the pace of fighting has increased and "the Red Sea is now a theater of war."
Martin Griffiths has told the Security Council that military experts say the rebel-held Red Sea port of Hodeida "has become the center of gravity of the war" and avoiding a battle for the port and the city "has a better chance of being resolved within a comprehensive political settlement."
Griffiths said the UN is still trying to avoid a battle for Hodeida, but while the gap between the Houthis and the coalition has been narrowed considerably, "I am concerned that Hodeida could be a flashpoint."

Griffiths called on the parties "to create a conducive environment to allow for this the happen," and he urged the Security Council "to resolve this conflict through negotiation rather than through military means."