Cairo: Yemen’s internationally recognised government has unilaterally reopened major roads in the war-wracked country ahead of the Eid Al Adha feast and amid a UN-brokered truce with the Iran-aligned Al Houthi rebels.
The government forces Thursday reopened a route linking the port city of Al Mukha to Taiz in south-western Yemen, the official news agency Saba reported.
Yemeni Information Minister Moammar Al Eryani, who attended the reopening ceremony, said the step reflects the government’s keenness to ease hardships for people in Taiz, which has been under a long-running siege imposed by Al Houthis.
“Opening the road cuts distances and saves a lot of time for passengers,” he added.
“Opening roads is a humanitarian aspect that does not require agreements, but the Al Houthi militia uses it as a strategy to double people’s suffering and considers this a military gain,” Al Eryani added.
Earlier, the government authorities unilaterally reopened another vital road linking Taiz and Hudaidah in western Yemen.
Yemen has been gripped by a devastating war of more than seven years triggered by Al Houthi rebels who unseated the internationally recognised government and overran several areas including the capital Sana’a.
Last month, warring sides agreed to extend a UN-mediated ceasefire for two more months, rekindling hopes for establishing peace in the impoverished country.
