Al-Arada Discusses Peace Efforts with Envoy's Military Advisor

The Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Vice President, Major General Sultan al-Arada, received on Thursday the military advisor to the United Nations Envoy to Yemen, Antony Hayward, to discuss efforts to achieve a permanent peace and ceasefire.

During the meeting, Al-Arada affirmed the Yemeni people's desire for peace, based on the three references agreed upon nationally, regionally, and internationally, noting that the political leadership and the government support all regional and international efforts to establish a true peace that fulfills the people's aspirations.

He pointed out that the Houthi militia have been thwarting all UN opportunities and efforts to establish peace, despite the major concessions made by the government, exposing the militia's lack of commitment to fulfilling their obligations and their aim to legitimize their coup while undermining UN Resolutions.

Al-Arada stressed that the phases of the peace process must begin with building confidence by an all-round ceasefire; releasing all prisoners and captives; lifting the siege on Taiz; opening all main roads between cities and governorates to ease citizens' transportation, as well as reopening of ports and airports.

He affirmed readiness to open the Marib-Nihm-Sana'a and Marib-Al-Bayda roads within 48 hours, provided that the militias agree to a reciprocal opening under international supervision, although that the highest priority is to open the main roads of Taiz Governorate, which has been under siege for nine years.

Al-Arada urged the international community to take decisive action to implement the UN resolutions & to identify & hold accountable any party obstructing the peace process instead of the appeasement policy that encourages the militias.

Al-Arada also pointed out that the Yemeni people's remarkable celebration of the Sep 26 Revolution, despite facing harsh repression by Houthi militia, who tried to obstruct it and prevent the display of the national flag, is a popular referendum confirming their rejection of Houthi ideology and rule.