Yemenis Welcome Truce, Worry about Houthis' Lack of Commitment

Yemenis in Sanaa on the first day of the truce. (Reuters)
Yemenis in Sanaa on the first day of the truce. (Reuters)
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Yemenis Welcome Truce, Worry about Houthis' Lack of Commitment

Yemenis in Sanaa on the first day of the truce. (Reuters)
Yemenis in Sanaa on the first day of the truce. (Reuters)

The announcement of a two-month truce in Yemen has been widely welcomed by the people and official circles in spite of concerns that the Iran-backed Houthi militias may not commit to it given their poor track record.

The Houthis did welcome the announcement, which was made on Friday night at the intra-Yemeni consultations in Riyadh. The ceasefire went into effect on Saturday.

People living in areas held by the Houthis hoped that the truce would have a positive impact, especially with the announcement that fuel would be allowed through Hodeidah port.

The terms of the two-months truce include facilitating the entry of 18 fuel ships into the ports of Hodeidah and allowing two commercial flights a week to and from Sanaa airport. The terms also include convening a meeting between the parties to agree on opening roads in Taiz and elsewhere to improve civilians’ freedom of movement inside Yemen.

Residents of Houthi-held Sanaa expressed their concern that the Houthis may abuse the truce to further oppress the people and increase restrictions on access to fuel. Residents of besieged Taiz hoped the agreement would ease their seven-year suffering at the hands of the militias.

Lack of commitment
Politicians believe the consultations, which kicked off on Wednesday and will conclude on April 7, may pave the way to reviving consultations with the Houthis to end the conflict in Yemen. Political observers, however, were less optimistic and have expressed concern that the truce would be exploited by the Houthis to regroup militarily.

They fear the militias may take advantage of the ceasefire and halt in air strikes to move their forces and vehicles to the oil-rich Marib province and prop itself up there after suffering a string of defeats.

Yemeni journalist Waddah al-Jaleel remarked the Houthis had repeatedly rejected similar truces in the past because they didn't need them. They were confident at the time that they could win battles, especially in Marib.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that now that the Houthis are in the weaker position, the truce would help them regroup after their losses in recent month, especially in Marib.

The militias had failed in capturing the province and incurred massive losses in the process. They were also defeated in the Bihan, Ain and Asailan districts in the Shabwa province.

The Houthis had also suffered a major drop in revenues that were going to their war effort, added Al-Jaeel. This forced the militias to create economic crises in areas under their control and deprive people of fuel, gas and food so that they would be forced to buy them at higher prices on the black market, which the Houthis control.

"The Houthis are the primary sides in need of this truce," continued Al-Jaleel. The people in areas under their control will see little benefits from it if the militias allow it to take effect in the first place.

Their suffering and the humanitarian tragedy will continue, he warned.

The Houthis will abuse the truce to increase their revenues and regroup their fighters. They will also not waste an opportunity in violating the ceasefire, he predicted.

Moreover, he added that several answers need to be addressed when discussing a truce: Who will monitor it? What guarantees are there to ensure it holds and that it isn't violated?

These are questions that must be addressed, he urged. He also underscored the need to wring out concessions from the Houthis for causing so much destruction since their 2014 coup against the legitimate government.

"The purpose of the coup is paving the way for peace, not preparing for war," stressed Al-Jaleel.

Praise
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres welcomed the truce, saying: "Today must be the start of a better future for the people of Yemen."

He urged all parties "to make the necessary arrangements to support the successful implementation of the truce, and to operationalize cooperation mechanisms without delay."

"A halt to the fighting, coupled with the entry of fuel ships, and the easing of restrictions on the movement of people and goods in, out and within the country, will contribute to building trust and creating a conducive environment to resume negotiations for a peaceful settlement of the conflict," he said.

The European Union hailed "the willingness shown by the parties in accepting the truce and the accompanying measures, including fuel shipments entering Hodeidah ports, commercial flights in and out of Sanaa and negotiations for opening roads in Taiz and other governorates"

It called on the parties involved to "respect the truce and continue engaging with UN Special Envoy towards a durable ceasefire, addressing urgent economic and humanitarian measures and resuming the political process.

It also conveyed best wishes to all Yemenis on the advent of Ramadan.

The truce was widely welcomed by Arab countries.

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Kingdom supports the announcement made by the Yemeni government and the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen to accept the truce.

It also appreciated the efforts exerted by the Special Envoy to broker the truce, which comes in the context of the Saudi initiative announced in March 2021 to put an end to the Yemeni crisis and reach a comprehensive political solution.



Egypt Outraged Over Israeli Push to Move Palestinians to Border

Egyptian army chief visits near Israeli border late last year – military spokesman
Egyptian army chief visits near Israeli border late last year – military spokesman
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Egypt Outraged Over Israeli Push to Move Palestinians to Border

Egyptian army chief visits near Israeli border late last year – military spokesman
Egyptian army chief visits near Israeli border late last year – military spokesman

Egypt has strongly condemned what it sees as Israeli policies aimed at forcibly displacing Palestinians towards its borders, warning such actions pose a direct threat to its national security, an informed Egyptian source told Asharq al-Awsat.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source said Israel’s handling of the Gaza conflict indicates a lack of seriousness in reaching a ceasefire agreement or engaging in meaningful efforts to resolve the crisis.

“Cairo is alarmed by attempts to push Palestinians toward Egyptian territory and set up tent encampments near the border,” the source said, calling the move “a threat to Egypt’s national security.”

The comments came as Israeli media reported that Egypt had warned Israel against expanding military operations in Rafah.

According to Israel’s Channel 7, Egypt’s security delegation involved in the ongoing Gaza ceasefire talks expressed strong opposition to Israel’s proposed military deployment map, citing its implications for Egyptian sovereignty and security.

Israel’s Channel 13 reported that Cairo views Israel’s plan to establish a “tent city” for displaced Palestinians near the Egypt-Gaza border as a “ticking time bomb.”

The plan, which envisions relocating hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to the area, has heightened Egyptian concerns over a potential refugee crisis on its doorstep.

The Israeli channels said Egypt’s increased military presence in Sinai, particularly in Zone C, where military activity is limited under the 1979 peace treaty, was intended as a message to Israel.

Egypt may also reassess the peace agreement if Israeli actions are deemed to constitute a clear violation of the treaty.

Cairo warns of breach of peace deal

Egyptian national security and international relations expert Major General Mohamed Abdel Wahid said Egypt “categorically rejects any Israeli military presence along the Egyptian-Palestinian border,” including Israel’s control of the Philadelphi Corridor and Rafah. “This is a breach of the peace treaty,” he said.

“Egypt has previously warned that the peace agreement may be at risk,” Abdel Wahid told Asharq al-Awsat.

“Cairo remains committed to the treaty, but it is clear that Israel is not respecting its obligations and is pursuing its interests at any cost.”

Abdel Wahid accused Israel of deliberately pushing Palestinians toward Egypt’s borders in preparation for a forced displacement plan, saying this would amount to an effective dismantling of the Palestinian cause, something Egypt wholly rejects.

Tensions between Egypt and Israel have reached their highest level since the current war in Gaza began, especially after Israel resumed strikes on the enclave and failed to implement a ceasefire agreement brokered primarily by Cairo. Egypt has also objected to Israel’s continued military control over the Philadelphi Corridor and its refusal to reopen border crossings.

In recent weeks, Egyptian media reported a buildup of troops and heavy weaponry in northern Sinai’s Zone C, a development analysts say signals Cairo’s growing frustration. While the move may stretch the limits of the peace deal, Egyptian sources argue it is a response to Israeli violations.

Tensions political, not military – expert

Major General Sayed Ghoneim, a fellow at the Egyptian Military Academy for Postgraduate and Strategic Studies, said the strain in Egyptian-Israeli ties remains “political and diplomatic - not military.”

“There’s a political disagreement over policies and a diplomatic rift between the two foreign ministries,” Ghoneim told Asharq al-Awsat. “But the defense ministries remain on coordinated terms, particularly in matters related to peacekeeping. Any tensions are being handled through established channels.”

Ghoneim, who also serves as a visiting professor at NATO and the Royal Military Academy in Brussels, noted that one sign of diplomatic tension is Egypt’s refusal to accredit a new Israeli ambassador since the previous envoy left. Egypt also recalled its ambassador from Tel Aviv and has not sent him back.

He emphasized that while Israel’s military presence along the Egypt-Gaza border is in violation of the peace agreement and is a core reason for the current political discord, the situation has not escalated into a military confrontation.

Israeli forces seized full control of Gaza’s southern border with Egypt, including the Philadelphi Corridor and the Rafah crossing, in May 2024. Israel has accused Egypt of failing to stop the flow of weapons into Gaza through tunnels, an allegation Cairo denies.

The 1979 Egypt-Israel peace treaty prohibits the use or threat of force between the two countries and mandates peaceful resolution of disputes.

It also regulates military deployments along their shared border and established a joint military coordination committee.