Al Mukalla: The UN envoy to Yemen has said that the Iran-backed Al Houthi group has to relinquish their arsenal of ballistic missiles under any future peace deal.
The rebels launched dozens of ballistic missile attacks on Saudi soil in the past year of conflict, killing dozens of civilians and soldiers.
“I think there will be no stability in Yemen in the long term unless those missiles are destroyed or handed over to a third party or a military committee,” Esmail Ould Shaikh Ahmad said in an interview with France 24 Arabic TV.
Ould Shaikh Ahmad has recently stepped up meetings and calls with warring parties in Yemen and western diplomats to push a modified version of the UN-brokered peace plan.
Ould Shaikh Ahmad reiterated the United Nations and members of the UN Security Council recognise Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi as the only legitimate president of Yemen and international powers still refuse to deal with Al Houthis.
“They [UN and Security Council] do not recognise the Sana’a-based government. President Hadi is the legitimate president of Yemen who would approve any peaceful settlement of the problem and would appoint new vice-president and prime minister,” he said.
Ould Shaikh Ahmad’s strong remarks against Al Houthis come as the internationally-backed government urges him to shame and name Al Houthis and ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh who oppose diplomatic efforts for peace in Yemen.
The UN envoy said Al Houthis and Saleh’s supporters are reluctant to discuss security arrangements that include disarmament and exiting cities under their control.
“Despite Al Houthis and Saleh’s expressed support and approval [to peace proposals], they are reluctant to take serious action,” he said.
The envoy said he was optimistic about reaching a deal between warring factions in Yemen “in the coming weeks”.
Meanwhile, deadly clashes between government troops and Al Houthis erupted on Thursday in Bouqa district of Sana’a province.
Saada governor, Hadi Tarshan, told the ministry of defence news site that government forces stormed three hilly positions and mountains in Bouqa and were now advancing towards new areas in the province amid stiff resistance from rebels.
Hadi came to power in early 2012 after massive Arab Spring protests ousted Saleh. Hadi fled to Aden after escaping Al Houthi-imposed house arrest in 2014 and established his government headquarters there. Since then, Hadi has led an offensive to liberate Al Houthi-occupied territories.
With help from the Saudi-led Arab coalition, the government forces have achieved widespread gains in many provinces, but Al Houthis still control the capital Sana’a and most of northern provinces including Hodeidah, Ibb, Mahweet, Yareem, Amran, Baydha and Hajja.
