In his report to the UN Security Council on May 18, Hans Grundberg, the United Nations (UN) Special Envoy to Yemen, warned of the risk of re-emergence of conflicts in Yemen and stated that talks should begin for a comprehensive peace in the country.
HOUTHIS THREATENS WITH NEW ATTACKS
Othman Mojalli, Member of the Presidential Council of Yemen, said that the Houthis are engaged in offensive-oriented military activity inside and outside the country.
Noting that the Houthis transported large amounts of heavy weapons between the fronts where they fought, Mojalli stated that he recruited children in some regions.
Mojalli noted that the Houthi militias are trying to dig trenches quickly and set up military positions and missile launchers to target international maritime navigation as well as military zones within the country.
Yemen Presidential Council Member, United Nations (UN) Special Envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg emphasized that such actions and movements are escalating tensions at a time when the US Special Envoy to Yemen Tim Lenderking and the international community are making uninterrupted efforts to establish peace in Yemen.
Yemeni political expert Mohammed al-Muhaimid said there are "conflicting reasons" for the stalemate in negotiations between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis.
"There is information that the Houthis, on the one hand, criticize Riyadh, and on the other, insist that Saudi Arabia be a party, not a mediator, in the negotiations," he said.
Stating that the US is uncomfortable with the agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran under the mediation of China, Muheymid argued that the Washington administration has therefore "informed that it is hindering the negotiations between Riyadh and the Houthis".
Noting that the Houthi leaders also pointed to the United States about the deadlock in the negotiations between the parties in Yemen, Muhaimid said that whatever the reasons may be, an agreement should be reached between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis "as in the Syria issue".
“THE MAY HAVE NEW DEVELOPMENTS ON NEGOTIATIONS”
Yemeni journalist Ali al-Fakih, "It is not possible to talk about an obstacle in the negotiations, on the contrary, the parties are going through a difficult phase. In line with the reactions of the coalition (led by Saudi Arabia) and the Yemeni government, the Houthis feel there is an opportunity to put forward more terms," he said.
Recalling that Saudi Arabian Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman and Yemen Presidential Council President Rashad al-Alimi met on May 23, Fakih argued that "there may be new developments in the negotiations".
CIVIL WAR AND POLITICAL SOLUTION EFFORTS IN YEMEN
The Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen have been in control of the capital Sana'a and some regions since September 2014. Coalition forces led by Saudi Arabia have been supporting the Yemeni government against the Houthis since March 2015.
As part of the regional and international studies carried out to reach a political solution in the country, the delegations of Saudi Arabia and Oman started contacts in Sana'a, which was under the control of the Houthis, on April 8 and left this city on April 13. Yemeni Foreign Minister Ahmed Awwad bin Mubarak announced that the talks between the Saudi Arabian delegation and the Houthis would resume after the Eid al-Fitr.