Truce deal for Hodeidah crowns Yemen peace talks

Both sides in the Yemen war agreed on Thursday to stop fighting for the port city of Hodeidah and withdraw their troops in the first breakthrough for UN peace efforts in nearly five years of conflict.

“This is just the beginning,” UN Secretary- General Antonio Guterres said at the closing ceremony of talks in the Swedish town of Rimbo. He thanked those who took part “for coming here to discuss a better future for Yemen.”

Forces of the internationally recognized government backed by a Saudi-led coalition, and Houthi militias armed and supported by Iran, will withdraw from the port “within days,” UN envoy Martin Griffiths said.

Houthi forces will also pull back from the grain port of Sali and the oil port of Ras Isa. A committee chaired by the UN and reporting to the Security Council will oversee the cease-fire and withdrawal. International monitors will be deployed in Hodeidah city and the three ports, and another UN committee will set up humanitarian corridors to Taiz, Yemen’s third city.

“They have been able to achieve more than anyone expected,” said Elizabeth Dickinson, a senior analyst at International Crisis Group. “The big game is the political framework, which would pave the way for actual peace negotiations.”

Saudi Arabia and its Arab coalition partners “strongly support” the agreement, said the Saudi Ambassador to the US, Prince Khalid bin Salman. The deal will “help bring back security to the region including the security of the Red Sea, a vital waterway for international trade,” he said.

“The agreement is a major step toward alleviating the humanitarian crisis and reaching a political solution.”

Prince Khalid said the Houthis were the cause of Yemen’s humanitarian crisis and “only consistent military pressure by the Yemeni armed forces and the Arab coalition forced them to agree” to UN supervision of Hodeidah.

“We hope the Houthis accept a comprehensive political solution, in accordance with relevant UN resolutions, that serves the interests of Yemen and its people rather than working on behalf of the Iranian regime’s interests. “We remain committed to ending the humanitarian crisis to help Yemen rebuild.”

Further talks to resolve outstanding issues will begin in January.