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UK says Saudi-led coalition to allow Huthi medical evacuations from Yemen
LONDON, Nov 13, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen
has agreed to allow some wounded Huthi rebels to be evacuated, following a
visit to the region by British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, his office said
Tuesday.
The issue has proved a key stumbling block in previous peace talks and it
is hoped the evacuations could now pave the way for fresh negotiations,
Britain’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
“The Saudi-led coalition have agreed to the evacuation of wounded Huthis
from Yemen, one of the key stumbling blocks to the UN Geneva talks in
September,” it added.
“Coalition forces will now permit the UN to oversee a Huthi medical
evacuation, including up to fifty wounded fighters, to Oman ahead of another
proposed round of peace talks in Sweden later this month.”
During a visit to Riyadh and Abu Dhabi on Monday, Hunt met Saudi Arabia’s
King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, as well as leaders from the
United Arab Emirates and Yemen.
He was in the region seeking to boost support for UN efforts to end the
nearly four-year conflict in Yemen, and to press the gulf kingdom over the
murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
“In my meetings we have made progress in removing the largest stumbling
block to previous proposed rounds of peace talks, and set out a credible path
to a de-escalation of military activity,” Hunt said following the trip.
“I leave the region encouraged by these signs of progress, and I am
determined to do what it takes to convert this into a lasting peace for the
people of Yemen.”
Britain and the United States are major suppliers of arms to Saudi Arabia,
which leads a military coalition backing the Yemen government in its fight
against Iran-backed Shiite Huthi rebels.
Britain is seeking support among regional partners for new action at the
UN Security Council for peace talks in Yemen.
“Diplomacy and negotiation remain the only path to ending the conflict and
I am encouraged that Saudi Arabia and the UAE have shown their support for
the UN peace process, led by Special Envoy Martin Griffiths,” Hunt added.
“I will continue talking to partners about the best way for the Security
Council to support the UN special envoy’s efforts on the political process
and improve the humanitarian situation.”
Griffiths is due to brief the Security Council on the situation in Yemen
on November 16.
BSS/AFP/RY/1835 hrs