United Nations envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths arrived in the Yemeni capital Sanaa on Monday on a mission to persuade the Iran-backed Houthi militias to accept the truce agreement on Hodeidah that includes the deployment of forces in its three main ports.
The deal was reached in Sweden in December 2018 and it has yet to be completely implemented, generating pessimism among the legitimate government.
Government member of the Regional Redeployment Committee (RCC) Saghir bin Aziz said: “It is known that the Houthis have always withdrawn from a region they occupied with force. Have you ever heard of them quitting an area in peace?”
He said that Griffiths would not have traveled to Sanaa without having had received a pledge by the Houthis to implement the first phase of the redeployment.
“Even if they do make vows, they will not respect them,” he tweeted.
Griffiths had arrived in Sanaa without making a statement, local sources told Asharq Al-Awsat.
He was received at the airport by Houthi officials from their illegitimate foreign ministry.
Informed sources said the envoy will meet with a number of Houthi leaders, including their top chief. He is accompanied on his visit by RCC head Michael Lollesgaard.
Prior to departing for Sanaa, Griffiths had held talks with a Houthi delegation in the Omani capital, Muscat. He then headed for the Saudi capital, Riyadh, to relay the Houthi stances to legitimate government officials, including Foreign Minister Khaled al-Yemany.
Following the Houthis’ failure to respect the Sweden deal, Lollesgaard made amendments to the proposed withdrawal from Hodeidah. The deal would call for the militias to quit the ports of Hodeidah, al-Salif and Ras Issa and head five kilometers east of the area. Mines they planted in the area must also be removed.
The Houthis have refused to withdraw from Hodeidah, saying that they are responsible for managing its security and administrative affairs.
