Yemeni UN-mediated peace talks concluded with a political breakthrough that now awaits the test of time and commitment. Struck between the country’s warring parties, a government backed by a Saudi-led Arab Coalition on one hand and Houthi insurgents on the other, the agreement will see to the withdrawal of all militia fighters from the country’s key Red Sea port city, Hodeidah.
According to the agreements reached in Sweden, Houthi militias will see to lifting the siege off Taiz, which has been held hostage by the Iran-backed militia and the reopening of corridors for humanitarian assistance to enter.
Outstanding issues such as the status of Sanaa airport, the country’s ailing economy and the negotiating framework for a political solution were moved to the next round at the end of next month.
United Nations spokesman Farhan Haq said that UN Chief Antonio Guterres phoned each of the Saudi Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman and Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, and said that his calls played a key role in realizing the Hodeidah truce.
In the phone call, the Crown Prince stressed the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s support for UN efforts to reach a political solution to the Yemeni crisis, and its aspiration to achieve positive results from the consultations currently being held in Sweden.
Yemeni Foreign Minister Khalid al-Yamani said that the understandings reached were essential, but stressed that the truce remains to be substantiated by implementation and commitment. He explained that the agreement on Hodeidah demands the withdrawal of militias from all ports in the province.
Saudi Ambassador to the US Khalid bin Salman, for his part, reiterated his country’s unwavering support for the announced agreement, and said the breakthrough signals the return of security to the region, especially for the Red Sea, which is vital for global trade.
The UAE, another key ally of Yemen's government, also welcomed the UN-brokered ceasefire for the battleground port city of Hodeidah.
“We welcome the (truce) accord reached in Sweden,” UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Gargash said on Twitter.
He attributed the deal to military pressure by the Arab Coalition, which intervened in 2015 after coupists seized the capital Sanaa as well as Hodeidah and its vital Red Sea port.
"The diplomatic progress was made possible by sustained military pressure against the Houthis along the Red Sea and around Hodeidah," Gargash said.
He also revealed that there were 5,000 Emirati soldiers engaged in fighting to recapture Hodeidah from Houthis.
The parties reached an agreement on the following:
1- An agreement on the city of Hodeidah and the ports of Hodeidah, Salif and Ras Issa.
2- An executive mechanism on activating the prisoner exchange agreement.
3- A statement of understanding on Taïz.
Both parties agreed to commit:
- To fully implement this Agreement and to work towards the removal of any obstructions or impediments to its implementation.
- To refrain from any action, escalation or decisions that would undermine the prospects for full implementation of this Agreement.
- To continue the consultations unconditionally in January 2019 in a location to be agreed upon by the parties.
