It is time for Houthis to withdraw fully
▶ The rebels’ apparent willingness to talk must be matched by complete withdrawal
The Saudi-led coalition’s operation in Hodeidah was always a means to an end. Its mission was endowed with a higher goal than merely driving out the Houthis: it aims to provide long-term humanitarian aid and food to desperate Yemenis, to restore the legitimate government to power and to bring the conflict that has plagued Yemen for years to an end, bring stability to a fractured land and usher in normality for its beleaguered people, who have languished for too long under Houthi misrule.
After making significant military gains in Hodeidah, the coalition is focusing on restarting the political process, enshrined in UN Security Resolution 2216, which demands an end to Houthi violence and a complete withdrawal of their troops. Despite its significant losses, the militia now has the opportunity to do the honourable thing and come to the table to agree a peaceful handover of the port city of Hodeidah. Speaking in Washington on Friday, Yousef Al Otaiba, the UAE’s ambassador to the US, reaffirmed the Emirates’ support for the efforts undertaken by Martin Griffiths, the UN special envoy for Yemen, to bring all parties to the negotiating table. Mr Griffiths, for his part, is optimistic about effecting a transition of power to the UN. The UAE’s ambassador to the UN, Lana Nusseibeh, added the country was poised and ready to help Yemenis rebuild their country.
The obstacle to achieving this outcome is Houthi resistance, fuelled by its Iranian backers. Although the rebels’ decimated ranks and significant losses mean defeat is inevitable, they appear determined to fight to the bitter end, no matter the cost to innocent civilians, whom they have been using as human shields in the battle. The Houthis have yet to make any voluntary concessions, despite numerous attempts at diplomacy, nor displayed any desire for peace.
Having converted the seaport in Hodeidah into a gateway for weapons smuggled in from Iran – and stolen aid intended for starving masses before selling it at inflated costs to finance their reign of terror – they joined forces with Hezbollah fighters in a bid to place Yemen under Tehran’s control. A senior leader from the Iran-backed militant organisation Hezbollah is thought to be on the ground in Hodeidah, presumably to supervise anti-government operations. But the Houthis are now engaged in a losing battle; total defeat awaits them. Faced with the prospect of a loss of power, they now want to talk – but they must follow their words with concrete deeds. They have a chance to spare the people of Hodeidah any more unnecessary suffering. It is time they acted on it with a complete withdrawal.