US to discuss ‘pause’ in Yemen

KERRY: HALT RAIDS ON HUMANITARIAN GROUNDS

Key infrastructure is on the brink of collapse.

Djibouti

US Secretary of State John Kerry said yesterday he would discuss with Saudi Arabia the implementation of a “humanitarian pause” in military operations in Yemen to help aid operations.

The possibility of a halt in the US-backed Saudi-led coalition raids comes after United Nations warnings key infrastructure in Yemen, including water supplies and hospitals, were on the brink of collapse and an arms embargo was hampering the delivery of aid.

Kerry told reporters during a stop in Djibouti, where he held talks on regional security: “We are deeply concerned about the humanitarian situation unfolding in Yemen ... I am convinced of their [Saudi authorities, who are leading a coalition fighting anti-government Shiite rebels in Yemen] desire to implement a pause.

“We hope the coalition will join in working with the UN and the rest of the global community in order to find a way to deliver aid.”

Kerry also announced $68 million (R813 million) in humanitarian assistance to Yemen.

The Saudi-led coalition of Sunni Arab countries launched air strikes in Yemen in late March against Shiite Houthi rebels and their allies after they seized control of large parts of the country.

The UN’s humanitarian coordinator for Yemen, Johannes van der Klaauw, said on Saturday an arms embargo was affecting delivery of supplies, urging a humanitarian pause “at least for a couple of days”.

Thousands of people have fled Yemen, many to Djibouti.

Kerry was making the fi rst visit by a secretary of state to Djibouti and he thanked the former French colony for its help to US operations in the region.

Djibouti is home to Camp Lemonnier, the US military headquarters on the continent that is used for anti-terror operations against al-Qaeda affi liates in Yemen, Somalia and for other operations across Africa.

After talks with President Omar Guelleh, who recently extended the lease of Camp Lemonnier, Kerry said: “Because of its strategic location ... Djibouti is a frontline state in the efforts to stand up against terrorism.”–