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Yemeni Speaker to Asharq Al-Awsat: Betting on Houthis Changing is False Hope

A general view of the southern port city of Aden, Yemen January 22, 2018. (Reuters)
A general view of the southern port city of Aden, Yemen January 22, 2018. (Reuters)
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Yemeni Speaker to Asharq Al-Awsat: Betting on Houthis Changing is False Hope

A general view of the southern port city of Aden, Yemen January 22, 2018. (Reuters)
A general view of the southern port city of Aden, Yemen January 22, 2018. (Reuters)

Yemeni parliament Speaker Sultan al-Burkani voiced his fears of the conflict ailing his country being removed from the international community’s memory as the threat of an Iran-US war occupies the highest political echelons worldwide.

“Certainly, any tension in the region affects the future of Yemen, and we are afraid to reach a stage of forgetting the issue of Yemen in light of the international community's concern for what is to come,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Burkani reaffirmed national resolve in Yemen towards defeating Iran-backed Houthi coupists and reinstating power to the freely-elected authorities.

He also blamed the United Nations special envoy Martin Griffiths for the ongoing stalemate in Yemeni peace talks and called on all involved parties to undertake decisive measures to hold the Houthis accountable for their violations of the UN-brokered deal signed in Sweden last December.

“We must not forget that the political solution led by the UN through its envoy has not achieved anything significant. We hope for the crisis to remain present and strong at international forums, because our people need to end this war and reach peace and restore the state to security and stability and overthrow of the coup,” Burkani stressed.

Popularly known as the Hodeidah agreement, the deal was signed in the Swedish capital, Stockholm, and represents a first step towards brokering a comprehensive political solution.

Speaking about Iranian efforts to destabilize Yemen by funding and arming Houthi insurgents, Burkani remarked: “Iran has outlined a personal agenda and we regret that our friends in the international community who know the truth choose to ignore it and stand idle.”

Iranian ambitions in the region, according to the speaker, do not only target Yemen, but also seek to undermine the national security of Arab countries in the region.

As for what role Houthis will play in war-torn country’s future, Burkani said: “First, we do not reject or deny the fact that Houthis are a component of the Yemeni society, and we have already invited them to establish a political party with a role and functions, but they want to act as an arm for Iran, to control Yemen, and harm neighboring countries instead.”

Pointing out several counts of Houthi noncompliance with peace efforts, he added: “We (the Yemeni internationally-recognized government) emphasize that those who count on changing the group's approach are making a losing bet. Griffith, has done so for a year and a half, yet with no avail.”

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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)

One of the UN’s top humanitarian officials in Lebanon, Imran Riza, has warned that the situation will worsen if the conflict continues, calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

He stressed that the ongoing war is placing immense strain on both the UN and the Lebanese government, as over a million people have been displaced. He said current needs exceed $400 million, but only 12% of that amount has been raised so far.

Worsening Crisis

Riza, who is the UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, UN Resident, and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat. He described the past two weeks as “catastrophic” for civilians, with the crisis growing over the last year.

More than 600,000 people have been displaced and over a million affected, with 300,000 crossing the border, according to Riza.

Many of these people have been displaced more than once in search of safety. Riza emphasized that the war has severely impacted civilians, with more than a quarter of Lebanon's population affected.

The UN has been working to address the crisis, but Riza said resources are limited.

He stressed that the UN has been saying all year that it doesn’t have enough funds, even when there were only 110,000 displaced people.

Last week, the UN launched a $426 million appeal for urgent humanitarian aid, with 12% of the funding already secured.

Riza said more support is expected, with donor countries pledging additional help.

He also expressed gratitude for contributions from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which provided medical and relief supplies, and said the UN hopes to see more international assistance soon.

Working with the Government

The UN is working closely with the Lebanese government every day to provide shelter, food, healthcare, and water to those in need.

Cooperation with the government has been excellent, said Riza.

However, he acknowledged that the government’s capacity is weakened after five years of ongoing crises, which have also severely impacted the population.

People are less resilient than they were during the 2006 war, and the government and its institutions are weaker, affirmed Riza.

The UN is helping the government respond effectively, ensuring transparency and accountability, so that aid reaches those who need it, he added.

The UN is also collaborating with local and international NGOs that have gained experience from Lebanon’s recent crises, helping to ensure a more effective response. Shelters are also being monitored to prevent any abuse.

A Different Reality from 2006

The current situation in Lebanon is very different from the 2006 war. Politically, the country now has a caretaker government and no president, with much less international presence.

Back then, other countries were more involved, said Riza.

The 2006 war lasted only 33 days, but this conflict has dragged on for a year, he noted.

During recent visits to southern border areas, Riza said locals were asking when the war would end, as the situation has worsened significantly in the past two weeks.

Riza noted that, in the first week of the crisis, it was extremely difficult to respond, and even now, many displaced people remain without shelter.

The UN is working with the government to provide shelter, food, and healthcare, but it’s not easy, he noted.

Displacement Crisis

With winter approaching, Riza stressed the need to properly house displaced people, saying that people can’t be left without shelter.

There are also concerns over a lack of housing, clean water, and sanitation, as well as the risk of disease outbreaks. Despite these challenges, Riza praised the close cooperation between the UN, international organizations, and partners.

Many agencies are responding, he asserted.

Riza rejected any claims of discrimination between displaced groups, noting that both Lebanese and Syrians are currently staying in UNRWA schools. He added that talks with the government about sheltering displaced Syrians have been positive.

Riza also expressed concern about the school year and children’s education.

Prolonged Conflict

The United Nations sees no immediate solution to the humanitarian and military crisis in Lebanon, with Riza stressing that the solution must be political and diplomatic, but first, a ceasefire is needed.

While there is little optimism for an end to the conflict, Riza said, the UN is encouraged by the support from its partners, which helps the organization assist the displaced.

He mentioned the recent evacuation of 1,000 people from Ain Ebel and aid distribution in Tyre, emphasizing the need to ensure that they reach those in need.

Riza called on all sides to respect international and humanitarian laws, allowing safe access for aid workers.

He condemned violations, including the deaths of firefighters, health workers, civil defense staff, and UN personnel, adding that the toll on civilian and health infrastructure is growing.