Government of Yemen: Houthi faces peace efforts with intransigence

Yemen said on Sunday that it had treated peace efforts with flexibility, but Houthi militias have met with more intransigence.

Yemeni Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ahmed bin Mubarak met Sunday with US envoy to Yemen Tim Leanderking to discuss efforts to achieve peace in Yemen, the Yemeni Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The Yemeni minister said the Presidential Command Council supports all efforts aimed at achieving peace in Yemen and opening the Yemeni government to a political solution in accordance with the three terms of reference.

“The issue of Taiz and the continued Houthi siege of the city are major humanitarian issues that must be dealt with and resolved before moving on to any other issues,” bin Mubarak said.

He said the negative treatment of the Houthi militias in the Taiz issue and their insistence on not lifting the siege on millions of civilians confirm their lack of preparedness for peace, and the resilience the Yemeni government is dealing with more intransigence and arrogance and obstructing peace efforts.

He said the Yemeni government is prepared to deal positively with anything that would alleviate the humanitarian consequences on Yemeni citizens throughout the country without compromising on a humanitarian issue.

He noted the importance of stopping the Houthi militia’s manipulation and acquisition of billions of riyals from the port of Hodeidah, and requiring them to direct those resources to pay salaries to employees in areas still under their control.

US envoy Tim Leanderking reiterated his country’s support for the Presidential Command Council and its commitment to helping Yemen overcome its crisis, establish peace and stand by its unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

On Saturday, the Houthi militia announced its clear rejection of the extension of the UN humanitarian truce, which expires on August 2.

In a statement issued by the so-called “Supreme Political Council” condemning the visit of US President Joe Biden, Houthi militias claimed that “the UN truce was a shocking and disappointing experience that cannot be repeated in the future.”

“The humanitarian truce came into effect on April 2, and was renewed on June 2, for an additional two months, as the Yemeni government and the Arab coalition have fulfilled their humanitarian clauses, including the cessation of military operations, despite the escalation of violations by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia.”