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3 of 8 GPC Ministers Absent from Coup Cabinet Meeting in Sanaa

People load belongings on a van as they evacuate their house located on a street where Houthis have recently clashed with forces loyal to slain Yemeni former president Ali Abdullah Saleh in Sana'a, Yemen December 6, 2017. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah
People load belongings on a van as they evacuate their house located on a street where Houthis have recently clashed with forces loyal to slain Yemeni former president Ali Abdullah Saleh in Sana'a, Yemen December 6, 2017. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah
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3 of 8 GPC Ministers Absent from Coup Cabinet Meeting in Sanaa

People load belongings on a van as they evacuate their house located on a street where Houthis have recently clashed with forces loyal to slain Yemeni former president Ali Abdullah Saleh in Sana'a, Yemen December 6, 2017. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah
People load belongings on a van as they evacuate their house located on a street where Houthis have recently clashed with forces loyal to slain Yemeni former president Ali Abdullah Saleh in Sana'a, Yemen December 6, 2017. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah

Coup government ministers in Sana’a have surrendered to the Houthi's will in turning a blind eye to the “bloody scenario” that has ended the life of ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh and a number of his followers.

Prime Minister of the internationally unrecognized government Abdul-Aziz bin Habtour and ministers loyal to the General People’s Congress (GPC) resumed on Sunday their daily activity at their headquarters.

Also, the Houthi edition of SABA agency announced that bin Habtour held an expanded meeting with the ministers to normalize the security situation.

Among attendees from the GPC were: Deputy Prime Minister for Security Affairs Major General Jalal Ali al-Rowaishan, Foreign Minister Hisham Sharaf, Health Minister Mohammed Salem bin Hafeez, Minister of Local Administration Ali al-Qaisi and Minister of State for Parliament and Shura Council Affairs Ali Abdullah Abu Hulaykah.

Among GPC representatives who didn’t attend the cabinet session were Minister of Telecoms & Information Technology Mahmoud Julaidan, Minister of Higher Education Hussein Hazeb and Minister of Defense Mohamed al-Atefi.

They are most probably still under house arrest, amid leaked information that Houthi militias have no confidence in them and accuse them of backing the uprising launched by Saleh.

In the same context, Saleh Al-Samad, head of the Supreme Political Council, met tribal sheikhs in Al Mahwit and Sana’a. Reliable Sources informed Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that Samad urged attendees to mobilize fighters and capture anyone who attempts to rebel against Houthis in Mahrit and Sana’a.

So far, it remains unknown whether coup ministers loyal to the GPC have willingly struck a deal with Houthis to maintain the alliance with them or were intimidated to preserve their positions.

Yemeni Deputy Prime Minister Foreign Minister Abdulmalik al-Mekhlafi stated that the assassination of Saleh will cause a political and militarily change in the Yemeni scene. Politically, the cover-up that GPC used to provide for Houthis is now gone, and military decision-making is now Houthi-centered.

Houthis continue to arrest 41 media personnel and employees from Yemen Today, whose headquarters was raided by armed men last week. 

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Al-Alimi to UN Envoy: Houthis Not a Reliable Peace Partner

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi welcomes UN Envoy Grundberg in Aden, Yemen (SABA)
Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi welcomes UN Envoy Grundberg in Aden, Yemen (SABA)
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Al-Alimi to UN Envoy: Houthis Not a Reliable Peace Partner

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi welcomes UN Envoy Grundberg in Aden, Yemen (SABA)
Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi welcomes UN Envoy Grundberg in Aden, Yemen (SABA)

UN envoy Hans Grundberg is working to address the Yemeni crisis, but Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), has questioned the Houthi militias’ trustworthiness for peace.

During Grundberg’s visit to Aden, the interim capital, Al-Alimi told him that the Houthis may not be a reliable partner. Grundberg had called for “constructive dialogue” to ease tensions.

Yemen’s state media reported that Al-Alimi received an update on Grundberg’s recent talks and his focus on reducing tensions and restarting the peace process, which has been disrupted by “Houthi terrorist groups supported by Iran.”

Grundberg thanked Yemen’s PLC and government for their work to reduce tensions and prevent a return to widespread conflict, according to SABA News Agency.

On his part, al-Alimi reaffirmed support for the UN’s efforts to restart a political process based on a Saudi roadmap.

He also supported UN efforts to address the worsening humanitarian situation caused by Houthi attacks on oil facilities and shipping lanes, which he said are backed by Iran.

Al-Alimi stressed the need for continued local, regional, and international attention on Houthi actions, including human rights abuses and measures against Yemenia Airways that worsen humanitarian conditions and damage the airline’s reputation.

The Houthi group, backed by Iran, is holding four Yemenia Airways planes in Sanaa and blocking the airline from accessing around $120 million in its bank accounts.

The PLC chief said a recent failed Houthi attack on the Safir oil facility in Marib shows the Houthis are not a reliable partner for peace. He accused them of prioritizing their supporters’ interests over Yemen’s needs.

Al-Alimi stressed the need for international unity and listening to Yemenis’ calls for stability and peace, in line with UN resolutions, especially UNSC Resolution 2216.

Grundberg, who has not reported progress on economic issues between the Yemeni government and the Houthis, urged for constructive dialogue to reduce tensions. His office stated that he and Al-Alimi discussed the urgent need for a broader dialogue to ease tensions across Yemen.

Grundberg has expressed concern over UN staff held by the Houthis and renewed the UN Secretary-General’s call for their immediate release.

The UN diplomat ended his visit to Muscat, where he met with Omani officials and Houthi negotiator Mohammad Abdelsalam. He stressed the urgent need for de-escalation in Yemen and urged the Houthis to prioritize the well-being of the Yemeni people.

Grundberg also called for the immediate release of the detained UN staff during his meetings. Before Muscat, he discussed de-escalation efforts with Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammad Al Jaber in Riyadh.

In Riyadh, Grundberg met with the ambassadors of the five permanent UN Security Council members, highlighting the need for a unified approach to support peace talks and a ceasefire in Yemen.