The legitimate Yemeni government is awaiting the results of Oman’s talks with the Iran-backed Houthis to persuade them to accept the United Nations’ ceasefire plan in the war-torn country.
Outgoing UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths had proposed a ceasefire and humanitarian relief before returning to the dialogue table to negotiate a comprehensive political solution.
The government is aware, however, that the Houthis are in no way willing to take any constructive steps that would stop the war.
Griffiths, meanwhile, is still carrying out a tour of the region, on a mission to garner support for his initiative.
He arrived in Kuwait on Sunday. He has so far visited Muscat, Sanaa and Riyadh.
He is set to travel to Tehran, which has the final say over how the Houthis will act.
In Kuwait, Griffiths tweeted that he met with Prime Minister Shiekh Sabah Khalid al-Hamad al-Sabah and Foreign Minister Ahmed Nasser al-Mohammed al-Sabah to discuss efforts to resume the political process in Yemen.
He hailed Kuwait’s ongoing support for peace efforts in Yemen.
The FM, for his part, stressed his country’s commitment to Yemen’s unity, stability and security. He underscored the importance of implementing Saudi Arabia’s initiative and referring to the three references: The Gulf initiative, national dialogue and relevant UN resolutions, namely 2216.
He also condemned the Houthis’ ongoing attacks against Saudi Arabia, saying they were a direct threat to Gulf and Arab national security.
Griffiths is seeking a breakthrough in Yemen before departing his post to assume the role of UN humanitarian relief coordinator.
Observers, however, believe that time was against him given the Houthi stalling and its leader’s insistence on political, military and economic demands at the expense of humanitarian relief. The militias have also ignored all international calls to cease their offensive on the Marib province.
Yemeni Foreign Minister Dr. Ahmed bin Mubarak denied that the government has received any responses from Oman over its peace efforts.
Omani officials had paid a weeklong visit to Sanaa last week for talks with the Houthis.
The Houthis, for their part, have not revealed whether they have accepted the initiative.
Observers believe that Muscat’s efforts were encouraged by Washington, which under President Joe Biden has prioritized resolving the Yemeni crisis.
