ADEN, Yemen, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Yemeni civil war has hit a grim milestone, persisting for a decade, with prospects for peace remaining distant despite international mediation efforts.

The protracted war, which erupted in late 2014 between the Houthis and the internationally-recognized Yemeni government, has not only crippled the nation's infrastructure and economy but also led to one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises, which, according to UN estimates, has claimed tens of thousands of lives and pushed millions to the brink of starvation.

When addressing the nation to mark the 62nd anniversary of the country's Sept. 26 Revolution Day, Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Rashad Al-Alimi accused the Houthis of "imposing war when everyone turns towards peace."

On Friday, Al-Alimi reaffirmed the Yemeni government's openness to various peace initiatives for ending the civil war, in a meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

During the meeting, Al-Alimi praised the UN for its efforts to mitigate the humanitarian crisis in Yemen and emphasized the crucial roles of Saudi Arabia and Oman in facilitating a UN-sponsored political process.

Relevant diplomatic initiatives proposed over the years culminated in a UN-brokered roadmap released late last year. The proposal, announced by UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg after extensive talks in Saudi Arabia and Oman, includes implementing a nationwide ceasefire, paying public sector salaries, resuming oil exports, and easing restrictions on airports and seaports. However, the implementation of the roadmap remains elusive.

Since the path to peace remains fraught with formidable obstacles, some observers perceive the current situation as intractable, while others maintain cautious optimism that diplomatic efforts and growing awareness of the humanitarian crisis will eventually catalyze a resolution.

Yemeni political analyst Rashad Sharabi told Xinhua that peace is "out of reach," citing the ongoing military preparations and inflammatory rhetoric by the Houthis.

"The group's philosophy is fundamentally rooted in violence and war, making a peaceful transition of power unlikely," Sharabi said.

Conversely, a figure close to the Houthis offered a more optimistic view. Abdul-Hafeez Moajab, a member of the Houthi media delegation in peace negotiations, told Xinhua that "peace options are currently available and the peace process is proceeding along two tracks: one between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia, and the other between internal Yemeni parties."

Despite that recent developments in the Gaza Strip and the Red Sea have hindered the peace process between Sanaa and Riyadh, significant progress has been made before these escalations, with negotiations reaching a stage resembling a road map for addressing the conflict.

Regarding Yemeni internal negotiations, Moajab revealed that "all factions have come to recognize that military victory is unattainable, and establishing peace and partnership is the only viable solution."

Sharing a similar sentiment, Yemeni politician Anwar Khaled Shaab said that "a peaceful resolution is still possible," as the international community's awareness of Yemen's humanitarian plight plays a positive role.

Furthermore, Shaab highlighted that "mounting public pressure within Yemen is pushing all parties towards ending the war." He argued that "a just and comprehensive peace would benefit all Yemenis, not just specific factions."

"Achieving peace in Yemen primarily requires strong political will from all parties involved, with the interests of the Yemeni people prioritized over all other considerations," the politician said.

Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war since late 2014 when the Houthi group seized control of much of northern Yemen, forcing the government out of the capital Sanaa. The Saudi-led coalition intervened in 2015 to support the Yemeni government in the conflict.

The country has remained in a fragile calm since Oct. 2, 2022, when the UN announced the failure of the two conflicting parties to extend and expand a six-month truce that had been in place. Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)