Head of UNMHA Mission in Yemen survives explosion

A convoy of the UN Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA) on Tuesday survived a landmine explosion in Yemen's Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, a security official told Xinhua.

"A convoy of UNMHA composed of a group of vehicles was struck by a landmine explosion while they were traveling in the Al Hali district of Hodeidah," the local official said on condition of anonymity.

The explosion caused no injuries but partially damaged two UNMHA armored vehicles. The Chinese news agency Xinhua reported that the incident happened in Yemen’s Red Sea port city of Hodeidah.

Yemen has been scene to a bloody civil war since 2014 when the Houthi militia group took control of provinces in the north of the country. The fighting forced the legitimate Yemeni government out of the capital Sanaa.

More than 24 million people – 80% of the population – are in need of humanitarian aid and protection, meaning it is now the largest humanitarian crisis in the world, according to the United Nations.

Beary was appointed to the UNMHA role in 2021. He is a very well known and respected figure in the Irish Defence Forces and abroad. The incident comes as a reminder of the dangers that the people of Hudaydah face daily due to explosive planted by Houthis.