UAE hails Yemen ceasefire, armed operations halt
- Last updated: April 2, 2022 | 22:02
The UAE welcomed the announcement by Hans Grundberg, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, to start a truce and stop all forms of military operations in Yemen and on the Saudi-Yemeni borders.
In a statement issued by the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the UAE welcomed the announcement by the Yemeni government and the Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen to accept the truce, stressing its support for all efforts made by the Special Envoy to enhance prospects for peace and stability in Yemen and the region.
The UAE emphasised the pivotal role played by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in achieving stability and security for Yemen, reiterating its commitment to stand by the brotherly Yemeni people and support their legitimate aspirations for development and prosperity, within the framework of its policy supporting everything that achieves the interests of the peoples of the region.
Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary-General of the Arab League (AL), has welcomed the UN-brokered humanitarian truce to halt all forms of military operations in Yemen and on the Saudi-Yemni borders.
The European Union High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Josep Borrell has welcomed the recent announcements of the UN- brokered two-month truce to halt all forms of military operations in Yemen and on the Saudi-Yemni borders.
Yemen’s warring parties laid down their weapons for the first nationwide truce since 2016 on Saturday, with all eyes on whether the UN-brokered ceasefire will hold.
The Iran-backed Houthi rebels and the Saudi-led coalition have both agreed to observe the two-month truce, which took effect at 1600 GMT on the first day of the Holy Month of Ramadan.
“The two-month truce started at 7:00 pm (1600 GMT) tonight. As of tonight, all offensive ground, aerial and naval military operations should cease,” UN special envoy Hans Grundberg said in a statement. Under the agreement, all ground, air, and sea military operations in Yemen and across its borders are to stop.
Eighteen fuel ships will be allowed into Hodeida port and two commercial flights a week can resume in and out of Sanaa, also in rebel hands - both key demands of the insurgents before they consider peace talks. The two sides have also agreed to meet to open roads in Taez and other governorates, Grundberg said, adding the truce could be renewed with their consent.
“The success of this initiative will depend on the warring parties’ continued commitment to implementing the truce agreement with its accompanying humanitarian measures,” said the Swedish diplomat.
“I also hope the goodwill that we saw from all sides in public will translate into long-term de-escalation of inflammatory media rhetoric and hate speech.”
Saudi Arabia expressed its “support” for the UN ceasefire, which was also welcomed by US President Joe Biden, UN chief Antonio Guterres, the European Union, and the leaders of Britain, France and Iraq.
The Norwegian Refugee Council hoped it would be “the start of a new chapter,” while Save the Children said it offered a “much-needed respite from all the violence.”
A United Nations-led truce in Yemen is a “decisive moment” in the near seven-year conflict and offers hope that warring parties and the international community can bring lasting peace to the devastated country, a senior US official told reporters.
US Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking said the UN-brokered two-month truce between a Saudi-led coalition and the Houthis, which comes into effect on Saturday, was a “first step” to a permanent ceasefire.
“If the international community and parties can work together this could be built into a lasting ceasefire and inclusive political process that ultimately gives shape to a new Yemen,” Lenderking said in an interview in Amman. “We want to build on a decisive moment that helps Yemen turn the corner.” Lenderking said the deal was a culmination of stepped-up US diplomacy and the Houthis’ realisation there could be no outright military victory. “The battlefield dynamics have changed, all of these things have combined to create what is a decisive moment,” he said.
“The truce is an opportunity for Iran, which Washington says provides significant support for the Houthis, to show its goodwill in backing the UN-led drive for peace,” he added. “We would like to see Iran move away from the negative tactics and role they have played up this point,” he said.
WAM / Agencies