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Yemen's Houthi-run Al Masirah TV accounts suspended by Twitter

Suspension comes as clashes intensify in Hodeidah between Houthi fighters and Saudi-backed forces
Supporters of Yemen's Houthi fighters chant slogans as they gather in the capital Sanaa on 24 September 2020, during a ceremony by the Houthis to collect cash, food and other donations for their forces (AFP)

Yemen's Houthi movement on Wednesday said that Twitter had suspended accounts linked to the group's Al Masirah news channel. 

The television channel confirmed on Telegram that "Twitter took steps to suspend accounts of al-Masirah without giving reasons."

Twitter did not respond to requests for comment from Reuters but Al Masirah's account, @MasirahTV, showed a message saying "Account suspended" on its pages for violating the social media platform's rules. 

No posts could also be seen on Al Masirah's page and its linked pages, including its breaking news and English account.  

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Al Masirah's page suspension on Twitter comes after the United Nations on Thursday called for an end to immediate clashes near Yemen's main port of Hodeidah. 

Dozens of people have been killed in the Red Sea city despite a UN-sponsored ceasefire to prevent fighting between the Houthis and pro-government forces. 

Hodeidah has seen sporadic fighting since the truce was agreed in late 2018, but intense clashes broke out this week between Houhi fighters and those allied with Yemen's Saudi-backed government. 

Military and medical sources told Reuters that dozens of people had been killed in the clashes. The UN said a number of civilians, including women and children, are among those killed.

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