Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farah told Saudi state-TV on Monday that the initiative was aimed at “ending the conflict” in Yemen and would consider enforcing a nationwide ceasefire, opening a Sanaa airport and allowing ships carrying oil to the port of Hodeidah.
His statement marked the first time that Saudi Arabia had publicly acknowledged the obstruction of fuel vessels in Hodeidah, which the UN called “unacceptable” on humanitarian grounds. The blockade has starved Houthis of revenues from oil taxes – but has also severely hampered the ability of humanitarian agencies to deliver aid, including food, to the country’s famine.
Saudi Arabia said the initiative had the approval of both the Houthi rebels and the internationally recognized government of Yemen, which has Saudi backing.
“We hope that the Houthis will take the initiative this time around to prevent bloodshed in Yemen,” said Prince Faisal.
Hussein al-Azi, Huthi’s deputy foreign minister, told CNN that the blockade needed to be lifted before he could agree to join the peace talks.
“If they [Saudi Arabia] Lift the blockade and open the airport then there will be a supportive environment for negotiations to enter and reach a reliable conclusion. “
Last attempt to establish a ceasefire
The Iran-linked Huthi group controls northern Yemen, including the capital Sanaa and the strategic port city of Hodeidah, and has been at war with the Saudi-led military alliance since 2015.
The initiative, announced on Monday, is the latest in a series of efforts to establish a ceasefire between Yemen’s warring factions. The UN is part of a series of stalled talks between opposition parties. Most recently, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken received no response after offering peace talks to Haiti.
According to State Department spokesman Ned Price, Blinken spoke with the Saudi foreign minister about Yemen on Monday, discussing the need for all parties to support peace efforts, commit to a ceasefire and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid.
President J. Biden announced earlier this year that the U.S. would be held accountable for Saudi Arabia’s humiliating actions in Yemen. The endorsement will end, the lawmakers said, calling the move “historic.” However, the United States has not made public its support for the Saudi blockade.
The report was contributed by Angela Diwan, Barbara Arvanitidis, Nicole Gouet and Yusuf Maveri.
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