Yemen Presidential Council Accuses Houthis of Seeking to Renege on UN Truce

A woman makes bread at a camp for displaced people in al-Ghaidha, Yemen April 11, 2022. Picture taken April 11, 2022. (Reuters)
A woman makes bread at a camp for displaced people in al-Ghaidha, Yemen April 11, 2022. Picture taken April 11, 2022. (Reuters)
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Yemen Presidential Council Accuses Houthis of Seeking to Renege on UN Truce

A woman makes bread at a camp for displaced people in al-Ghaidha, Yemen April 11, 2022. Picture taken April 11, 2022. (Reuters)
A woman makes bread at a camp for displaced people in al-Ghaidha, Yemen April 11, 2022. Picture taken April 11, 2022. (Reuters)

The Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) in Yemen accused on Monday the Iran-backed Houthi militias of seeking to renege on the two-month United Nations truce.

The truce entered its fourth week on Saturday a day before the first flight out of Sanaa airport was delayed due to Houthi violations.

The truce had called for the operation of two flights per week to and from Sanaa airport from Amman and Cairo. It also called for a nationwide ceasefire, the possibility of opening crossings and ending the Houthi siege on Taiz, and allowing 18 fuel ships to unload at Hodeidah port.

The PLC met under Chairman Rashad al-Alimi to discuss a number of national issues and ways to overcome challenges.

The gatherers noted the Houthis' obstruction of the Sanaa flight that was scheduled for Sunday, reported the state news agency Saba.

They held the militias responsible for compounding the suffering of the Yemeni people living in areas under their control. They accused the Houthis of creating problems so that they could later renege on the truce and hinder the UN-led peace process.

The PLC reiterated the government position that is keen on easing the suffering of the people, without exception.

The council held another meeting that was attended by Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik and Aden Governor Ahmed Lamlas to discuss the plan to develop the interim capital.

They addressed electricity, water, sewage, education and health files that had been put on hold for various reasons.

The PLC approved the formation of a presidential committee, headed by the prime minister and including concerned ministers, to devise the development plan for Aden and improve services.



EU Announces 235 Mn Euro Aid Package for Syria, Neighboring Countries

This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) meeting with EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib in Damascus, on January 17, 2025. (Photo by SANA / AFP)
This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) meeting with EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib in Damascus, on January 17, 2025. (Photo by SANA / AFP)
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EU Announces 235 Mn Euro Aid Package for Syria, Neighboring Countries

This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) meeting with EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib in Damascus, on January 17, 2025. (Photo by SANA / AFP)
This handout picture released by the Syrian Arab News Agency SANA, shows Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa (R) meeting with EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib in Damascus, on January 17, 2025. (Photo by SANA / AFP)

EU crisis management chief Hadja Lahbib announced a 235-million-euro aid package for Syria and neighboring countries on Friday during the first visit by a senior EU official since Bashar al-Assad's ouster.

The trip comes two weeks after foreign ministers from France and Germany visited, calling for a peaceful, inclusive transition, amid a flurry of diplomatic activity by countries seeking to engage with war-torn Syria's new authorities.

"I come here to announce a new package of humanitarian aid of 235 million euros ($242 million) in Syria and in neighbouring countries," Lahbib told a press conference in Damascus after meeting Syria's new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa.

"Our funding will contribute to basic needs like shelter, food, clean water, sanitation, health care, education and emergencies among others," she said.

Neighboring countries have taken in millions of Syrian refugees over the years.

"We count on the authorities to ensure unrestricted and safe access for humanitarian actors to all regions of Syria including those in hard-to-reach and conflict-affected areas" in the east, Lahbib added.

"We are at a turning point and the decisions that will be taken in the coming days and months will be crucial," Lahbib said.

According to AFP, her meetings were expected to focus on the future of the sweeping economic sanctions that the 27-nation bloc imposed on Syria during Assad's rule.

The transitional government has been lobbying to have the sanctions lifted, but some European governments have been hesitant, wanting time to see how the new authorities exercise their power.

"We want to see a bright future for Syria and for that, we need to see the rule of law being respected, human rights, women's rights," Lahbib said.

"What I've heard from the mouth of the current authorities (is) really encouraging... Now we need action.

"Let's help Syria but without being naive," she said.