Urgent need to establish peace in Yemen
UAE is ready to support all efforts to find a political solution that will help create an inclusive country
The UAE’s willingness to give its all as part of its deep commitment to the people of Yemen was demonstrated again yesterday with the tragic martyrdom of Sultan Mohammad Ali Al Kitbi, a senior Emirati officer, who was killed near Taiz in Yemen by a rocket from Al Houthi rebels. It is horribly poignant that his loss came just hours before a formal seven-day ceasefire was due before midnight, as representatives of Al Houthi rebels and their ally, former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, are due to start talks today with the legitimate government of President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi in Geneva.
The UAE has made the largest contribution to the military forces required by the Saudi-led coalition to back the Hadi government in Operation Restoring Hope, and it has suffered exceptional losses as it has put its resources and the lives of its soldiers at risk to restore the legitimate government in Yemen. With his martyrdom, Al Kitbi joins many other Emiratis who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in fighting for the values the UAE believes in, as they seek to restore the legitimate government and rebuild an inclusive society under the rule of law.
Inevitably, the incident casts a shadow over the peace talks that are due to start today. Previous ceasefires in May and July were marred by grave breaches as Al Houthi rebels failed to honour either humanitarian or general ceasefires. But we hope that this time it will be different, as both sides have chosen their negotiating teams and seem set on finding a way forward to a political solution.
The UAE stands ready to support the peace efforts in finding a political solution that will help create a new and inclusive Yemen, as well as the reconstruction that must start immediately so that the people can return to their homes with some hope of finding power and water available and start to rebuild their lives. The people of Yemen deserve a fresh start after the horror of the war — and the UAE stands ready to support them.