Saudi Arabia welcomes extension of truce in Yemen

The Gulf States' concern over the war in Yemen has been the defining constant in the Arabian Peninsula since the conflict began in 2014, and continues to be so now, with the renewal of the cessation of hostilities. Saudi Arabia, the country leading the coalition against the Iranian-backed Houthi forces, has welcomed the extension of the truce in the conflict that is expected to move towards further stabilisation.

This cessation of hostilities between the internationally recognised government of Yemen and the Houthi rebels was achieved thanks to the mediation of the UN envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, who proposed extending the truce for two more months. A decision taken with the aim of bringing closer the possibilities of putting an end to a conflict that has already left more than 150,000 dead.

The negotiations achieved by Grundberg have been classified as "successful" by the UN and celebrated by all the countries involved in the conflict. The Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it expressed the Kingdom's full support for the efforts of the UN special envoy for Yemen to promote peace in the region.

"The truce is in line with the Kingdom's initiative to end the crisis in Yemen and reach a comprehensive political solution, which was announced in March 2021," the Saudi government statement said, in addition to calling on the Houthis to "comply with the guidelines of the truce by opening humanitarian corridors in Taiz to alleviate human suffering and depositing revenues in the Central Bank of Yemen so that civilians can receive salaries". 

This was another of Grundberg's demands, to revive the region's economy to achieve a transparent and effective disbursement mechanism for the regular payment of civil servants' salaries, pensions, roads and airports, among other things. However, the Houthi militias continue to reject this UN proposal to reopen the roads in the governorate of Taiz, which has been under siege for more than seven years.

In any case, the Saudi government's statements were welcomed by the UN, which expressed gratitude to Saudi Arabia and Oman for supporting the postponement of the truce and "their continued constructive engagement". Grundberg also thanked the efforts of Yemeni party leaders for making "substantive comments" on the proposal.

Also welcoming the truce extension was US President Joe Biden. From the White House, the Democrat urged "all parties to move quickly toward a comprehensive and inclusive peace process", adding that US diplomacy "will not rest until there is a permanent agreement".

This renewal of the truce for two more months is the second since it came into effect on 2 April, and has been deemed necessary because of the progress it has made in the region, especially the reduction of civilian casualties and the resumption of commercial flights from Sanaa airport. A reality that can continue to be guaranteed with the commitment of both parties to the conflict to implement the truce in its entirety and seek a peaceful way forward because, in Grundberg's conclusion, "the Yemeni people deserve no less".