Yemen stresses need to address Houthi war roots
The Yemeni government stressed on Wednesday the need to address the roots of the war and its causes, which were triggered by the Iranian-backed Houthi militias and not just its results.
Yemeni Foreign Minister Ahmed bin Mubarak met with Swedish special envoy to Yemen Peter Semneb in Oslo to discuss the peace process in Yemen, the official Saba agency reported.
“Ending the war and establishing peace requires focusing on resolving the roots and causes of the conflict, not only addressing its consequences”, Bin Mubarak said.
The Yemeni official said that the current truce, including the lifting of the siege on Taiz, is an indication of the seriousness of the Houthi militias in accepting a political settlement, warning that the lack of progress in this humanitarian issue will hinder the efforts to launch the political process.
He also stressed the importance of keeping the focus on the issue of prisoners of war and that it be a priority for all actors in Yemeni affairs.
The Swedish envoy to Yemen said his country will continue to support Yemen and make every effort to contribute to resolving the crisis and establishing peace. He confirmed his country’s support for Yemen’s unity, security and stability.
The Swedish movement coincides with the Houthi militias’ handover to the UN envoy of their response to the UN proposal to lift the siege of Taiz under the UN truce. Media sources indicate that they are sticking to a unilateral proposal and refusing to open humanitarian routes.
The UN envoy’s office in Yemen has not made a statement, but when he visited Sanaa earlier this month, he failed to persuade the Houthis to open the roads under a proposal that the Yemeni government agreed to but which was not accepted by the putschists.
The humanitarian truce came into effect on April 2, and was renewed for another two months on June 2, as the Yemeni government and the Arab coalition completed implementation of its provisions.
