‘We strongly urge Al Houthis not to miss this opportunity’

Al Jubeir says feasibility of ceasefire depends on the militia in Yemen agreeing to stop fighting

Afive-day ceasefire announced by Saudi Arabia and the United States yesterday is dependent on the Iran-backed Al Houthi militia and their allies also agreeing to stop fighting, top officials said.

Concern about Yemen’s humanitarian situation has grown as the fierce fighting has led to acute shortages of food, medicine and fuel. “The pause will affect all of Yemen for a period of five days,” Saudi foreign minister Adel Al Jubeir said. “The actual date will be announced shortly as well as the requirements. This is all based on Al Houthis complying with the ceasefire,” he said.

Addressing a joint news conference with US Secretary of State John Kerry in Riyadh, Al Jubeir said the kingdom would halt airstrikes in Yemen because it is determined to expand relief assistance to the Yemeni people. Saudi Arabia will provide $274 million in new assistance, he said.

Kerry said the “humanitarian pause” wouldn’t start for several days, enough time for diplomatic efforts to convince Al Houthis and their backers to accept the terms of the deal. He said aid organisations also needed time to coordinate the best strategy for getting food, fuel and medicine into and around the country.

“We strongly urge Al Houthis and those who back them ... not to miss this major opportunity to address the needs of the Yemeni people and find a peaceful way forward,” Kerry said. Kerry said he also spoke with Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif earlier this week. Kerry and Al Jubeir said they would provide an update today in Paris, where they will gather with the foreign ministers of other Arab countries. “We particularly welcome a new Saudi initiative to try to bring about a peaceful resolution,” Kerry said.

The ceasefire, he explained, would mean “no bombing, no shooting” and no repositioning of forces. But he and Al Jubeir insisted the feasibility of the plan depended on Al Houthis and the Iranians agreeing to it and not trying to exploit the lull in fighting.

Kerry met earlier yesterday in Riyadh with Yemeni President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi, Yemeni vice-president Khalid Bahah and the foreign minister.

“Hopefully we’ll see you in Sana’a soon,” Hadi told Kerry. “Ah,” Kerry replied, “there’s some work to do.”

Supplying foodstuffs

Merchant vessels meanwhile are taking weeks to deliver vital food supplies to Yemen as heavy fighting disrupts shipments. At least 10 ships carrying wheat and other food commodities are still waiting offshore to discharge at Yemen’s functioning ports of Salif and Hodaida on the Red Sea, according to ship and port tracking data.

Three vessels carrying corn, rice and other foodstuffs were currently discharging in Hodaida and Salif - a process that took weeks for some, tracking data showed. While two other ships - both carrying wheat - had waited for over 10 days before being diverted to other destinations, data showed.