Gulf countries welcome UN-led peace efforts in Yemen

On Monday, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman welcomed the announcement of an agreement between warring parties in Yemen to ceasefire and engage in a peace process led by the United Nations.

The Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, declared on Saturday that both sides committed to a new ceasefire and participation in a UN-led peace process as part of a roadmap to end the war.

The conflict in Yemen erupted in 2014 when Houthi rebels, supported by Iran, seized control of extensive areas in the north, including the capital, Sanaa. In the following year, Saudi Arabia intervened at the head of a military coalition in support of the government, exacerbating the conflict that resulted in hundreds of thousands of casualties.

The ceasefire agreement, mediated by the United Nations, which took effect in April 2022, led to a significant reduction in hostilities. The truce ended in October last year, but fighting has largely persisted.

Saudi Arabia, a major external party in the devastating conflict, welcomed the announcement, stating in a late-night Sunday statement that it encourages the warring parties to "sit at the dialogue table to reach a comprehensive and permanent political solution under the auspices of the United Nations."

Oman, a prominent mediator in the conflict, also welcomed the declaration, expressing hope for the "prompt signing of the agreement" and affirming that "comprehensive and permanent peace in Yemen would fulfill the aspirations of the Yemeni people for security, stability, prosperity, and development."

Qatar praised the "efforts of the United Nations, Saudi Arabia, and Oman to bring peace to the Republic of Yemen."

A statement from the UN Special Envoy's office on Saturday highlighted the warring parties' commitment to a set of measures, including implementing a nationwide ceasefire and engaging in preparations to resume a comprehensive political process under UN auspices.

AFP