As Muslims across the world are celebrating the Eid al-Fitr holiday, people in Yemen are again shadowed under fears of war. In the port city of Hodeida next to the country's capital Sanaa, pro-government troops have launched one of the biggest offensives of a devastating three-year war to capture the Red Sea hub. The move is heightening fears for this region on the brink of famine. Locals cowered in their homes as clashes raged nearby with Saudi-backed forces.

The United Nation called on all sides to keep the vital port open. But they rejected a proposal from Sweden demanding an immediate end to the fighting in Hodeidah. It's the only entry point for aid to rebel-held areas. Humanitarian agencies warn that millions of Yemenis face starvation if that link is blocked. CGTN's Liling Tan has more from New York.

LILING TAN NEW YORK "After earlier diplomatic attempts to prevent the assault failed, and with an Arab-led offensive now well underway, the UN Security Council on Thursday delivered a unified plea to keep critical entry points in the Yemen port city of Hodeidah open for crucial food and aid supplies for civilians.

Emerging from an emergency closed door session, Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia, the president of the Security Council this month, delivered the Council's position."

VASSILY NEBENZIA RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR TO UN "They were united in their deep concerns about the risks to the humanitarian situation and reiterated their call for the Ports of Hodeidah and Saleef to be kept open."

LILING TAN NEW YORK "Hodeidah is home to Yemen's largest port, where most of the impoverished, conflict-torn country's imported supplies arrive, including food, medicine and fuel. It's also a lifeline for humanitarian aid."

Right now, UN and aid agencies are said to be rushing humanitarian assistance to some 600-thousand civilians in Hodeidah in the midst of the offensive. UN envoy to Yemen Martin Griffith has been working on a framework for negotiations between the warring sides.

But while Security Council diplomats are pushing for an end to the violence and a resumption of dialogue, they remain cautious about taking sides.

The US, in particular, has come under some criticism over its support of the coalition, but the Pentagon on Thursday denied any military involvement in the Hodeidah offensive.

LILING TAN NEW YORK "Pentagon spokesman Major Adrian Galloway said the U.S. support is for logistics, and not combat, and that it involves aerial refueling for coalition aircraft and intelligence assistance in protecting borders from Houthi attack. He added the U.S. supports the UN envoy to Yemen in his mediation efforts. Liling Tan, CGTN, New York."