Saudi Arabia calls for stronger action against Houthi militia over the Yemen conflict
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Raven Ruma
- . January 17, 2023
- . Update: January 17, 2023 6:29 pm
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s permanent representative to the United Nations has called on the UN Security Council to take stronger action against the Houthi militia as the group continues to “reject peaceful solutions” to end the conflict in Yemen.
Ambassador Abdulaziz Alwasil’s comments came during a UN Security Council meeting that discussed the latest developments in Yemen.
Alwasil said that it was important to designate the group as a terrorist organisation. The Saudi diplomat reportedly said it was an urgent demand among the people of the region, “who want to live in peace.”
Hans Grundberg, the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, said that recent international diplomatic activity aimed to resolve the conflict in the region. He appreciated Saudi Arabia and Oman for their role in demanding peace in Yemen.
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According to Arab News, Grundberg said, “We are witnessing a potential step change in the trajectory of this eight-year conflict.” He urged all parties to take steps to end the conflict in the region.
Alwasil commended Grundberg for his efforts to ensure peace in Yemen. The Saudi diplomat also reiterated the Kingdom’s support for the efforts of the UN’s humanitarian chief, Martin Griffiths, to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people affected by the crisis.
The Saudi envoy told the UN Security Council that Yemen’s presidential leadership council continues to boost efforts to secure a comprehensive political solution to end Yemen’s conflict and end the suffering of Yemenis.
The Saudi envoy further said that Houthi militias refused to extend a ceasefire agreement aimed at resolving the conflict due to political reasons. He said, “The militia proposed new demands, including paying the salaries of militiamen in US dollars. They refused to deposit the profits of Al-Hodeidah port in the Central Bank.” According to him, the Houthis have held the Yemenis hostage since the coup in 2014.
