Yemeni ‘transition’: Future of truce dependent on Houthi commitment
Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council said on Saturday that the future extension of the truce depends on Houthi’s compliance with all of its commitments under the UN deal.
During an extended meeting chaired by the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Council, Major General Ahmed Bin Break, in the interim capital of Aden today, he stressed the need for the Houthis to abide by the truce as a main condition for its continuation, according to a statement the Council.
The statement noted that the continuation of the Iranian-backed Houthi militia to shirk its obligations undermines the truce or any extension in the future.
The UN envoy called for putting pressure on the coups, as well as providing a framework for a comprehensive solution to the Yemeni crisis that accommodates all the commitments agreed upon by the parties.
In another direction, the Southern Transitional Council affirmed its support for all the decisions of the Presidential Command Council, and stressed the importance of broad and urgent reforms in the economic aspect to contribute to reviving the economy, saving the local currency from collapse, and putting an end to the repercussions of the rise in prices.
He also called for the return of official media, primarily Aden Radio and Television, to their headquarters in the interim capital, and pledged to work to remove any obstacles to their return under the leadership of the Presidential Council.
The STC’s position on the truce came after the Presidential Council and Houthi militias agreed to extend it last Tuesday. However, the putschists continued to breach the truce on more than one front.
The Houthis are using the UN truce to modernize their military arsenal, as well as drones to fire attack liberated residential areas and Presidential Council military positions, killing and wounding several people.
The humanitarian truce came into effect on 2 April and was renewed for an additional two months, as the Yemeni government and the Arab coalition completed implementation of its humanitarian provisions, including the cessation of military operations, despite the escalation of violations by Houthi militias supported by Iran.
