Yemen: Arab nations hail Saudi ceasefire proposal

By Ibrahim Al-Khazen

ISTANBUL (AA) – Eight Arab countries and four international organizations, including the UN, have welcomed Saudi Arabia’s initiative to end the war in Yemen.

Earlier Monday, the Saudi Foreign Minister, Faisal bin Farhan offered a plan for the cease-fire to the Houthi rebel group to resolve the Yemeni crisis.

In a statement, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry welcomed the initiative and urged all sides “to support the efforts to bring peace to Yemen”.

Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi also expressed support for the Saudi initiative. Taking to Twitter, he described the Saudi plan as “integrated” and “consistent with international legitimacy decisions to reach a comprehensive political agreement”.

Voicing support, the Bahraini Foreign Ministry asked the Yemeni sides and the international community to “support and welcome it to end the war in Yemen”.

Welcoming the initiative, the Kuwaiti Foreign Ministry in a statement also urged Yemeni sides to receive it “positively and fully adhere to it to reach a political solution”.

Sudanese Foreign Ministry praised the initiative and called other countries in the region and the international community to support it.

The Qatar Foreign Ministry in a statement said that it was welcoming “all initiatives and efforts aimed at ending the Yemeni war”.

The UAE Foreign Ministry described the initiative as a “valuable opportunity for a comprehensive ceasefire in Yemen which will pave the way towards a lasting political solution”.

Saudi Press Agency quoted the Ambassador of Djibouti, Dya-Eddine Said Bamakhrama hailing the proposal and calling on the international community to “support the Kingdom's initiative to end the Yemeni crisis”.

Deputy Spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also welcomed the Saudi initiative and said that it aligns with the UN initiatives.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) said the initiative reflects a sincere desire to end the Yemeni crisis. The GCC called on the Yemeni parties to accept it.

In a similar tone, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) said the initiative should be supported to stop the Yemeni bloodshed.

Praising the initiative, the Arab League said it "represents a positive step towards a comprehensive settlement in Yemen”.

Earlier Monday, sources in New York told Anadolu Agency that Saudi Arabia has apprised the UN about its intention to declare a unilateral cease-fire in Yemen.

On March 18, the UN Security Council called on all parties to work with the UN special envoy to Yemen “without preconditions” for the sake of a nationwide ceasefire and a political settlement.

Yemen has been ravaged by violence and instability since 2014, when Iran-aligned Houthi rebels captured much of the country, including the capital Sanaa.

A Saudi-led coalition aimed at reinstating the Yemeni government has worsened the situation, causing one of the world’s worst man-made humanitarian crises with 30 million people that make 80% of the population needing humanitarian assistance and protection. More than 13 million people are also facing imminent death due to starvation.

*Writing by Ibrahim Mukhtar