Local Editor
In an interview with Al Arabiya, the United Nations special envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths, said that he hopes and believes that the Hodeida redeployments will happen within the next day or two, which will facilitate access to 51,000 metric tons of wheat for Yemenis.
“Hodeida is the central gravity of this war, and the humanitarian hub that is needed for aid to reach all Yemenis,” Griffiths said, “I am hoping and believing that this will happen within the next day or two.”
Earlier this week, Yemen’s Houthi Ansarullah movement and the resigned regime of former president Abd Rabbu Mnasour Hadi have agreed to implement the first phase of forces withdrawal from Hodeida, which includes the redeployment of Houthis out of the three northern ports of Ras Issa, Salif, and Hodeida, in addition to redeployments of both parties to the north and south to facilitate access to Red Sea Mills, which has food aid sufficient for 3.7 million starving Yemenis.
During the interview, Griffiths expressed confidence and optimism in the redeployments happening soon, despite continuous violations of the Sweden deal, which stated a ceasefire in the port city of Hodeida.
Griffiths also stated that the Houthis “are very committed” when it comes to making political agreements happen.
The UN envoy described the second phase of the agreement to be more important than the first phase, saying that it demilitarizes the city and facilitates the civilians’ return to a peaceful life.
Prisoners’ release agreement
“Getting all prisoners out, and that is our ambition and aspiration, doesn’t mean they all have to come out today,” Griffiths said when asked about the delay of progress.
The UN envoy spoke of a proposal on the negotiations table which is being discussed between the warring parties and said that “it will provide for the release of a significant number.”
On non-Yemeni prisoners from governments friendly to the resigned regime, Griffiths assured fair treatment, citing an incident in which a Saudi prisoner was released as a good-will gesture from the part of the Houthis.
Griffiths said: “I just hope that we can see that magic day soon when there will be that airlift of released prisoners going from one side to the other.”
He also stated there will be a conference by the Secretary-General of the UN in Geneva on February 26 which will be seeking to raise $4 billion for the UN’s humanitarian aid program for this year.
The UN special envoy noted that “we are slowly making progress. We need to find a safe place for the two sides to meet, and to narrow down our aspirations to something small that can be done quickly.”
Griffiths concluded the interview by reaffirming his position in resolving the conflict. “My business is getting this conflict resolved as soon as possible.”
Source: Al-Arabiya, Edited by Website Team
