UN Proposal on Lifting Taiz Siege Awaits Houthi Response

A general view of the Al-Qahira citadel overlooking parts of Taiz, Yemen May 24, 2022. Picture taken May 24, 2022. (Reuters)
A general view of the Al-Qahira citadel overlooking parts of Taiz, Yemen May 24, 2022. Picture taken May 24, 2022. (Reuters)
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UN Proposal on Lifting Taiz Siege Awaits Houthi Response

A general view of the Al-Qahira citadel overlooking parts of Taiz, Yemen May 24, 2022. Picture taken May 24, 2022. (Reuters)
A general view of the Al-Qahira citadel overlooking parts of Taiz, Yemen May 24, 2022. Picture taken May 24, 2022. (Reuters)

The United Nations submitted a proposal to the legitimate Yemeni government and Iran-backed Houthi militias on lifting the militias' siege on the Taiz province.

Delegations from the government and Houthis have been holding a second round of negotiations on ending the siege in the Jordanian capital, Amman.

The government appealed on Tuesday to the international community, European Union ambassadors and United States' envoy to Yemen to exert more pressure on the Houthis to reopen the main routes leading to Taiz.

The Houthis have been resisting this demand, suggesting instead the opening of dirt roads, in what was seen as an attempt to thwart UN efforts to end the siege.

The UN proposal calls for opening five roads, including the main route, leading to the province.

The government delegation stated that after two weeks of talks, the Houthis continue to insist on opening dirt roads that do not help in easing the siege or the suffering of the people.

The government has been committed to the UN proposal on opening the main roads, it added, accusing the Houthis of acting unilaterally "to impose a fait accompli that no one has agreed to" and forcing the negotiations to come to a halt.

It hailed UN envoy Hans Grundberg and his team's efforts in the negotiations, hoping they would exert greater pressure on the militias and prevent them from stalling and undermining the nationwide truce.

Ending the siege on Taiz is among the main points of the UN truce, which was extended for another two months last week.

Grundberg issued a statement on Monday to sum up the Amman negotiations, saying he had submitted a "revised proposal on the phased reopening of roads, including an implementation mechanism and guarantees for the safety of civilian travelers, based on the discussions with both sides."

"The updated proposal calls for the reopening of roads, including a main route, leading into and out of Taiz city, as well as roads in other governorates that aims to alleviate civilian suffering and enhance the delivery of goods."

"The proposal takes into consideration suggestions from both parties, as well as feedback from Yemeni civil society. It also takes into account concerns expressed by the parties," read the statement.

"This is a first step in our collective efforts to lift restrictions on the freedom of movement of Yemeni women, men and children within the country."

"The parties have a moral and political responsibility to engage seriously and urgently with the UN proposal, prioritizing the interests of civilians and delivering immediate and tangible results to the people of Taiz and Yemen at large," Grundberg said.

"While I continue my efforts and engagement with the parties on this file, I hope the proposed initiative will sustain the momentum needed to move towards discussions on more durable arrangements within the multi-track process."



US Houthi Terror Designation Takes Effect, Welcomed by Yemen Govt, Raises UN Concern

The government has fully endorsed the US designation, describing it as an “effective tool to curb material and financial support” for the Houthis. (AP)
The government has fully endorsed the US designation, describing it as an “effective tool to curb material and financial support” for the Houthis. (AP)
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US Houthi Terror Designation Takes Effect, Welcomed by Yemen Govt, Raises UN Concern

The government has fully endorsed the US designation, describing it as an “effective tool to curb material and financial support” for the Houthis. (AP)
The government has fully endorsed the US designation, describing it as an “effective tool to curb material and financial support” for the Houthis. (AP)

The US State Department’s designation of Yemen’s Houthi militias as a “foreign terrorist organization” has been welcomed by the legitimate Yemeni government, but has triggered UN concerns over its impact on humanitarian access, with the international body calling for “guarantees.”

While Yemeni reports suggest the designation could economically strangle the Iran-backed Houthis, fears are mounting that the move may push them to derail the fragile truce, resume the war against the government, and escalate attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.

The government has fully endorsed the US designation, describing it as an “effective tool to curb material and financial support” for the Houthis.

It renewed its call for the international community to take similar steps to dry up the militias' funding, arms supplies, and to strengthen efforts aimed at restoring stability and peace in Yemen.

In a statement, Yemen’s Foreign Ministry stressed that the country has long suffered from the ravages of war and Iranian interference.

It called the US designation a reinforcement of its partnership with the United States and its allies in the fight against terrorism, hoping it will help curb activities that threaten the security of its citizens, the region, and global maritime trade.

The statement also affirmed Yemen's readiness to cooperate fully with international partners to ensure the effective implementation of the designation, aiming to serve the interests of the Yemeni people and promote peace and security in the region.

Amid concerns over the impact of the US designation on humanitarian efforts in Houthi-controlled areas, UN Secretary-General spokesperson Stephane Dujarric called for US guarantees.

During a press briefing, he emphasized that the designation should be accompanied by “appropriate assurances” to ensure effective humanitarian aid delivery and to allow civilians access to essential goods and services.

Dujarric also highlighted the UN’s focus on humanitarian response in Yemen, where nearly 19 million people require life-saving assistance, and 17 million are at risk of famine.

He stressed the importance of maintaining the role of the private sector in securing basic needs.

Dujarric cautioned that any disruption in the flow of commercial goods and humanitarian aid could have catastrophic consequences, particularly in a country that relies on imports for around 90% of its food supply.