Yemen's Houthis Say U.S. Ambassador's Statement Paves Way For Peace Failure

Local Editor

Yemen's Houthi Ansarullah movement on Friday criticized a statement by the U.S. Ambassador to Yemen Matthew Tueller, saying that his remarks pave the way for failing Stockholm Agreement.

"We deplore remarks by the U.S. Ambassador Matthew Tueller who accused Houthi group of hampering the implementation of Hodeida cease-fire," the revolutionary group said in a statement carried by the state-run Saba news agency. "We are committed to implementing the deal."

On Thursday, Tueller blamed the Houthis for delaying their withdrawal from the main port of Hodeida, saying that Ansarullah forces weapons pose a threat to other countries in the region.

"We are greatly frustrated by what we see as delays and stalling on the part of the Houthis in implementing what they agreed to in Sweden," Tueller told a televised press conference in the southern port city of Aden.

"We will see whether the Houthis can in fact demonstrate a political maturity and start to serve the interests of Yemen rather than acting on behalf of those who seek to weaken and destroy Yemen," Tueller added.

The peace deal was agreed in Stockholm, Sweden, in December last year, which was seen as a first step to end Yemen's war, but it has since stalled after.

Head of Yemen’s Supreme Revolutionary Committee (SRC) Mohammed Ali al-Houthi said in a statement posted on his social media website on Tuesday that "his group will withdraw from ports but it will keep control the city."

The Saudi-led military coalition launched a military campaign against Yemen in March 2015 to forcefully reinstate the resigned regime of former President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

The four-year Saudi-led war has killed more than 10,000 people, mostly civilians, displaced 3 million others, and pushed the country to the brink of famine.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by Website Team