The proposed truce announced by the Saudi foreign minister comes as fighting rages in Marib and other parts of Yemen. COURTESY
Saudi Arabia has announced a plan to offer its rivals in Yemen’s long-running war a nationwide ceasefire under the auspices of the United Nations, the kingdom’s foreign minister said. Speaking to reporters on Monday, the kingdom’s foreign minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, said the ceasefire proposed to the Houthi rebels is envisioned “for the entire conflict”, including allowing for the main airport in Yemen’s rebel-held capital, Sanaa, to reopen.
It would take effect “as soon as the Houthis agree to it”, he said in Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh. “It is up to the Houthis now,” Prince Faisal added, stressing his country would continue to “protect” its borders, citizens and infrastructure and face the Houthi “aggression with the necessary response”.
“The Houthis must decide whether to put their interests first or Iran’s interests first.” The proposal would also allow for fuel and food imports through the western port of Hodeidah – Yemen’s main port of entry – and restarting political negotiations between the Saudi Arabia-backed government of President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi and the Houthis.
Whether such a plan will take hold remains another question. A unilaterally declared Saudi ceasefire collapsed last year.
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