Saudi-Yemeni efforts to restore truce; Houthi intransigence turns against them
Saudi Arabia, in cooperation with Yemen’s Presidential Council, is seeking to restore a truce in Yemen to achieve a path of peace and spare the country the ravages of war.
But the Houthi anti-peace militias, which did not abide by the truce when it came into effect and are now seeking to derail its resumption, have been silenced by their intransigence and have turned their backs on them, admitting they have suffered heavy losses among their leaders and members at the hands of the southern resistance and the Yemeni army.
Peace efforts
In the search for peace, Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud met with Dr. Rashad al-Alimi, head of the Yemeni Presidential Command Council.
During the meeting, held at the Saudi Defense Ministry in Riyadh, the two sides discussed UN efforts to extend the truce, alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people and achieve security and peace.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed the developments in the Yemeni arena and future steps to deal with possible changes.
Prince Khaled bin Salman said the Saudi-led coalition supports the Presidential Command Council and efforts to bring peace to Yemen to end the country’s crisis.
Heavy losses for Houthi
On the Houthi side, its intransigence in resuming the truce and its rejection of all peace efforts have resulted in heavy losses, most recently to 14 commanders and personnel on the front lines.
The casualties came against the backdrop of militia attacks in the south, west, and east, and southern forces have been able to inflict heavy losses on Houthi militias.
The Yemeni army said the militias lost more than 27,000 members in 2012 as a result of coalition airstrikes and fierce battles, especially recently at the hands of the “giants”.
