Thursday, May 7, 2015

Saudis propose humanitarian pause in Yemen war

Saudi Arabia has proposed a five-day ceasefire in Yemen's war to facilitate humanitarian aid to civilians in the war-torn country, but only on the condition that the Houthi rebels also halt the fighting. 

Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir made the announcement on Thursday at a news conference with US Secretary of State John Kerry.
That means the coalition of Arab countries will cease air strikes "in all of Yemen."
The exact date of the ceasefire will be announced "shortly," Jubeir said, adding that it will only take effect as soon as the Houthi rebels agree and stop the attacks.

"There will be a ceasefire everywhere, or there will be no ceasefire anywhere," Jubeir said.

Kerry welcomed the proposal, calling on the Houthis and their supporters "use all their influence not to miss this opporunity to find a peaceful way forward."

He also hinted that the ceasefire could be "renewable" if the fighting halts.

Reacting to the UN plea of Yemen's ambassador to deploy ground troops, Kerry said "neither the US nor Saudis are talking about sending ground troops to Yemen."

The announcement comes a day after a deadly fighting in Yemen's southern port city of Aden, which reportedly left at least 120 people dead.

In an interview with Al Jazeera from the Yemeni capital Sanaa, Houthi activist and supporter Hussain al-Bukhaiti, said that it is likely that the armed group would accept the proposal.

But a ceasefire does not mean that Yemeni tribesmen will withdraw from areas they control near the border with Saudi. 

Bukhaiti also said that the Houthis are open to mediation by Oman. 

Accusations of war crimes

Meanwhile, the New York-based Human Rights Watch reported on Thursday that pro-Houthi forces shot and killed two women and held aid workers hostage in Aden, hinting at possible war crimes.

The rights group said the incidents, which happened last month, exemplify the grave threats to civilians in the embattled port city where Houthi rebels and their allies are fighting forces loyal to President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

HRW said the two women were struck by gunfire in separate incidents on April 17 and 18, and died before relatives could find a medical facility to treat them.

Pro-Houthi forces also unlawfully detained 10 local aid workers for 14 days, releasing two only after payments were made. Deliberate attacks on civilians and taking hostages are war crimes, the group said.

HRW identified the victims as Sabreen al-Aboos, 20, and Neveen al-Taib, 42.

Despite weeks of aerial bombardment against Houthi positions, the conflict shows no sign of ending.

Houthi fighters - widely believed to be backed by Iran - swept into Sanaa in September and have since tried to expand their control across Yemen, which is also battling al-Qaeda's local branch, Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).
Source: Al Jazeera and agencies

7/5/15
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2 comments:

  1. After Suffering Severe Losses, Saudi Proposes Five-Day Yemen Ceasefire...

    Saudi Arabia Thursday proposed a five-day "humanitarian" ceasefire in Yemen following weeks of its blatant aggression, with top US diplomat John Kerry urging Ansarullah movement to accept the offer.

    Field sources from Yemen told al-Manar that the tribal forces managed to seize eight posts in Najran and Jizan which are located in southwestern Saudi Arabia near the border with Yemen.

    The bombing by a Saudi-led coalition has failed to halt an advance by the army and the popular committees in Yemen, and concern has been mounting over increasing civilian deaths.

    Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir announced the ceasefire proposal after talks in Riyadh with Kerry, who described it as a "major opportunity to ease the humanitarian crisis."

    Jubeir said he had informed Kerry of "the kingdom's idea of a five-day ceasefire in Yemen to coordinate with international organizations to deliver aid to Yemen if Ansarullah movement and their allies commit to this".

    A date for the ceasefire, "will soon be set," he told reporters at a joint press conference with the US secretary of state, who earlier held talks with King Salman and other top government officials......http://www.almanar.com.lb/english/adetails.php?eid=209526&cid=23&fromval=1
    7/5/15

    ReplyDelete
  2. Huthis to pay 'harsh' price for attacking Saudi: coalition...

    Huthi militias in Yemen have crossed a "red line" and will pay a high price for their deadly bombardments of Saudi Arabia, the Saudi-led coalition said on Thursday.

    "The equation is different, the confrontation is different, and they will pay a harsh and expensive price," coalition spokesman Brigadier General Ahmed al-Assiri told reporters.

    "The safety of Saudi Arabia is a top priority for the coalition and the Saudi armed forces. It is a red line they crossed."
    AFP
    dailystar.com.lb
    7/5/15

    ReplyDelete

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