Denouncing a Saudi potentate in public is not a short cut to influence. But the missile attack gave the Saudis a plausible excuse to close Hodeidah. The Saudis want full checks on boats, saying the previous UN-backed inspection regime has been largely worthless or under-used. Representatives of the UK-recognised government of Yemen did not attend, although the UN special envoy did. Parts of the foreign office are privately anxious about the conduct of Saudi’s impulsive foreign policy.

Source: The Guardian November 29, 2017 15:30 UTC