UAE demands Houthis end Yemeni city siege

via Twitter @UAEMissionToUN

The UAE said the Houthis must end their siege on the city of Taiz, in Yemen, in a statement to the UN Security Council in New York.

The statement, delivered by Deputy Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of the United Arab Emirates at the United Nations, Ameirah Al Heifeiti, also called for an end to the "recruitment, mobilisation, and holding of military parades. This behaviour indicates clear disregard for the suffering of the Yemeni people and a lack of sincerity on behalf of the Houthi militias to choose peace."

The statement urged the Houthis to cooperate with international efforts to reach a permanent solution to the crisis, given the extension of the truce announced this month.

It said Houthis need to end their daily violations of the truce in the governorates of Hodeidah, Al-Dhalea, Hajjah, Saada, Al-Jawf, and Marib and Taiz.

The UAE also called for intensifying efforts to reach a comprehensive cease-fire and to create the conditions to start political consultations between the Yemeni parties based on a set time frame.

UAE STATEMENT TO THE UN SECURITY COUNCIL 

Mr. President,

I thank Mr. Hans Grundberg and Ms. Ghada Mudawi for their comprehensive briefings on the recent political and humanitarian developments in Yemen.

The UAE welcomes the extension of the humanitarian truce for an additional two months in accordance with the terms of the initial agreement and the initiative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia announced in March 2021 to end the crisis in Yemen. We express our appreciation for the Special Envoy’s efforts as well as for regional and international diplomatic engagement and visits, especially those made by the Sultanate of Oman, in the days leading up to the renewal of the truce.

Mr. President,

Despite the Houthi militias continuing to place obstacles on the way of extending and expanding the truce, the determination of the Presidential Leadership Council to prioritize Yemen’s national interest and a strong regional and international will to preserve the truce and its gains have effectively contributed to the reduction of violence and alleviation of human suffering.

With the extension of the truce, there is still an opportunity for the Houthis to cooperate with the international efforts to reach a permanent solution to the crisis, including by ending their daily violations of the truce in the governorates of Hodeidah, Taiz, Al-Dhalea, Hajjah, Saada, Al-Jawf, and Marib, which included the indiscriminate bombing of Al-Rawdah neighborhood in Taiz city that resulted in large casualties among children.

Additionally, the siege of the city of Taiz by the Houthi militias must end as well as the recruitment, mobilization, and holding of military parades. This behavior indicates clear disregard for the suffering of the Yemeni people a lack of sincerity on behalf of the Houthi militias to choose peace.

We reaffirm that the security and stability of Yemen is an integral part of the security and stability of the region. From this perspective, it is critical that the latest extension of the truce results in progress made on outstanding issues, especially issues of a humanitarian nature such as the opening of roads leading to the city of Taiz and the exchange of detainees according to the principle of “all-for-all”.

Mr. President,

Despite the importance of the truce and its positive impact on the situation in Yemen, we must remember that it is not an end in itself, but rather a means to achieve the ultimate and most important goal: a comprehensive and sustainable peace across Yemen. Therefore, we call for intensifying efforts to reach a comprehensive cease-fire and to create the conditions to start the political consultations between the Yemeni parties based on a set time frame.

We note the difficult humanitarian situation in Yemen, especially with regards to food security. Along with partners especially the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we continue to address these challenges through economic and humanitarian support to Yemen in various fields, including the stabilization of exchange rates considering that Yemen relies on imports to cover 90 percent of its food needs. We stress here the importance of the Houthis depositing revenues in the Central Bank of Yemen to allow for the payment of civil servant salaries.

We also noted the need to unify all national efforts to restore security and stability in Yemen. We appreciate the role played by the Presidential Leadership Council in promoting consensus and ending internal divisions.

In conclusion, the UAE renews its commitment to stand by the Yemeni people and their legitimate aspirations for security, development, and prosperity. We also renew our support for the restoration of Yemen’s rightful place among its Arab family.

Thank you, Mr. President.

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