FROM EIR DAILY ALERT
Week-Long Initial Talks in Sweden To End the Brutal Yemen War Yield Some Success
Dec. 13, 2018 (EIRNS)— Yemen’s warring parties have agreed to withdraw all forces from Hodeidah governorate and its vital harbors, as part of a wider eventual ceasefire agreement, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said on the concluding day of talks held in Rimbo, Sweden. In a briefing before talks closed, Guterres said the ceasefire agreement covers all of Hodeidah governorate and demands the withdrawal of all forces, from both the city and Hodeidah’s main port. “In the harbor, the UN will assume a very important monitoring role, and in the city, order will be maintained by the local forces,” he stated, referring to forces recognized by the Yemeni government.
He said that he expects forces will start withdrawing “within days” from three key ports in Hodeidah governorate, before both government and rebel forces begin disengaging in the city. The three ports named by the UN head were Al Hodeidah, Al Salif and Ras Issa. They are the main entry points for food and aid shipments to Yemen, the U.A.E. daily The National reported.
“The UN will play a role in the port. And this will facilitate the humanitarian flow of goods to the civilian population, and it will improve the living conditions for millions of Yemenis,” Guterres said, Al Jazeera reported.
Rebel negotiator Mohammed Abdel Salam told reporters that the Houthis are happy with what was achieved in the consultations, and said rebels have agreed in principle on a UN role in Sana’a airport, which would include carrying out safety and inspection checks.
Guterres pointed out that the agreement is a limited success, since there has not yet been an agreement on a ceasefire in the rest of Yemen beyond Hodeidah. An agreement on Sana’a airport was expected within a week, he said. A next session of talks is to be scheduled.
