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Why was Hodeidah pivotal to the conflict in Yemen?

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In the Yemeni Civil War (2014– ) and the overlapping Houthi-Saudi conflict (2015– ), Houthi control of Hodeidah was critical because it helped fuel the Houthi rebellion. Through the port Houthi rebels could gain supplies, tax imports, and maintain a strategic presence on the Red Sea. Saudi Arabia blockaded the port in November 2017 and in 2018 tried to push the Houthi rebels out of the city, but the severe humanitarian crisis in Yemen led the international community to pressure Saudi Arabia for relief, as Hodeidah was a vital lifeline for humanitarian aid.