Houthis Reject Efforts to End Fighting in Marib

Arab World

May 5th, 6:56am

Aden - Washington - Ali Rabih and Muath Alamri

Pro-government fighters in Yemen’s northeastern governorate of Marib, AFP

Houthi militia leaders are implying they will not cooperate with efforts spent on ending violence in Yemen, especially those mounted by the UN and US special envoys for the war-torn country. The group’s foreign minister posted a tweet suggesting that Houthis will go against the grain with efforts to stop the military offensive on Yemen’s northeastern governorate of Marib, where the Iran-backed militia has been fighting to take over for four months now. “They are talking about a partial battle and leaving besieged Yemen aside,” tweeted Mohammed Fleetah, accusing international efforts focused on stopping the battle raging in Marib of being insufficient for achieving a nationwide peace. For the last few days, UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths and US Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking have been spearheading concerted efforts to improve Yemen’s dire humanitarian situation, halting military escalation in Marib, and rebooting negotiations with the internationally recognized government. As for the US lobbying for a UN Security Council resolution ordering the cessation of hostilities on Marib, Fleetah said that “any new activity by the UNSC will not be verifiable.” The Houthi spokesman’s remarks reflect the insurgency’s thinking and ambitions for consolidating its hegemony over Yemen. With Washington pressing ahead with wide-ranging talks to reach a ceasefire in Marib, Lenderking is mounting a regional tour alongside a senior US delegation that includes several State Department officials and members of Congress. Next week, the US is expected to share the ongoing conversation at the UNSC on finding a solution for the Yemeni conflict, establishing a truce in Marib, and extending support for peace efforts mounted by Griffiths. For the Yemeni government, the recent peace initiative tabled by Saudi Arabia represents the best way for resolving the conflict. While the Saudi initiative includes a UN-monitored ceasefire nationwide, the reopening of Sanaa International Airport, and allowing of fuel and food imports through the Hodeidah port, the Aden-based Yemeni government said it doubts that Houthis will engage positively with the proposal.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2956131/houthis-reject-efforts-end-fighting-marib