Yemen is where ceasefire violations and peace talks can happen simultaneously. Fighting raged between government forces and the Iran-backed Houthi rebels yesterday in clear violation of a ceasefire agreed between the two sides, even as peace talks continued in Switzerland. The intensity of fighting was such that both sides seemed unaware of a truce that came into effect on Tuesday. Forces loyal to the government were within 40 kilometres of the rebel-held capital Sanaa as they built on their gains against the Shia insurgents.
The on-going talks in Switzerland between the government of President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi and the Houthis are sponsored by the United Nations and the UN envoy has expressed his deep concern at the numerous reports of violations of the cessation of hostilities. The current talks provide a great opportunity to end the nine-month civil war which has already taken almost 6,000 lives and left 21 million people in poverty and deprivation. Two previous peace efforts failed and though hopes are not very high about the success of the current one, there is a feeling that another missed opportunity could complicate the civil war and lead to a prolonged fighting.
Peace is not possible in Yemen as long as the Iran-backed Houthi rebels are not ready to recognise the government of President Abdu Rabbu Mansour and withdraw from areas they have captured in violation of all international laws. The Gulf military intervention was necessitated by the Houthi action. The Gulf countries have a duty to protect the legitimate government in Yemen and work for the country’s peace and stability.
In the latest fighting, the government forces and their allied tribes are making huge gains, and have laid siege to Nihm’s Fardha military base, northeast of the capital. On Friday, the loyalists seized Hazm, capital of Jawf province, to the northeast of Sanaa, and by yesterday, they had extended their gains in Jawf, capturing Al Ghayl and Al Maton districts.
The UN must exert pressure on Houthis to respect international laws and withdraw from areas under their control. At the same time, both sides must realise that there is no credible alternative to a political solution which makes the UN-sponsored talks so important. They must also allow unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the most affected districts of the country, as the UN has demanded.
It was issued after a fourth day of rocky peace talks, during which the special envoy “held several sessions with the participants,” the statement added.
The discussions in Geneva are focusing mostly on security issues in the light of the alarming developments on the ground, a UN statement has said, stressing that both sides had “renewed their commitment for a ceasefire.”•
Yemen is where ceasefire violations and peace talks can happen simultaneously. Fighting raged between government forces and the Iran-backed Houthi rebels yesterday in clear violation of a ceasefire agreed between the two sides, even as peace talks continued in Switzerland. The intensity of fighting was such that both sides seemed unaware of a truce that came into effect on Tuesday. Forces loyal to the government were within 40 kilometres of the rebel-held capital Sanaa as they built on their gains against the Shia insurgents.
The on-going talks in Switzerland between the government of President Abdu Rabbu Mansour Hadi and the Houthis are sponsored by the United Nations and the UN envoy has expressed his deep concern at the numerous reports of violations of the cessation of hostilities. The current talks provide a great opportunity to end the nine-month civil war which has already taken almost 6,000 lives and left 21 million people in poverty and deprivation. Two previous peace efforts failed and though hopes are not very high about the success of the current one, there is a feeling that another missed opportunity could complicate the civil war and lead to a prolonged fighting.
Peace is not possible in Yemen as long as the Iran-backed Houthi rebels are not ready to recognise the government of President Abdu Rabbu Mansour and withdraw from areas they have captured in violation of all international laws. The Gulf military intervention was necessitated by the Houthi action. The Gulf countries have a duty to protect the legitimate government in Yemen and work for the country’s peace and stability.
In the latest fighting, the government forces and their allied tribes are making huge gains, and have laid siege to Nihm’s Fardha military base, northeast of the capital. On Friday, the loyalists seized Hazm, capital of Jawf province, to the northeast of Sanaa, and by yesterday, they had extended their gains in Jawf, capturing Al Ghayl and Al Maton districts.
The UN must exert pressure on Houthis to respect international laws and withdraw from areas under their control. At the same time, both sides must realise that there is no credible alternative to a political solution which makes the UN-sponsored talks so important. They must also allow unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the most affected districts of the country, as the UN has demanded.
It was issued after a fourth day of rocky peace talks, during which the special envoy “held several sessions with the participants,” the statement added.
The discussions in Geneva are focusing mostly on security issues in the light of the alarming developments on the ground, a UN statement has said, stressing that both sides had “renewed their commitment for a ceasefire.”•
