Historic Ceasefire By Saudi In Yemen – Free PDF Download

What has happened?

• The civil war in Yemen — between the Saudi-led coalition and the Iran-backed Houthi rebels — saw a historic two-month truce deal last week, the first of its kind since 2016.
• “The parties agreed to halt all offensive military, air, ground and maritime operations inside Yemen and across its borders,” UN special envoy Hans Grundberg said announcing the deal.

• The anxiously awaited ceasefire agreement, brokered by the United Nations came into effect on April 2.
• The deal also coincided with the first day of Ramzan, the Muslim holi month of fasting.
• Since the war escalated in 2015, Yemen has suffered from one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, witnessing mass hunger, poverty and civilian deaths.
• The UN estimates over 377,000 deaths due to the conflict as of late 2021.

War began in 2014

• The war began in 2014 when Iran-backed Houthi rebels seized Sanaa and the country’s northwest, sending the ruling government into exile.
• Few months in, a military coalition led by Saudi Arabia intervened with a massive air campaign, hoping to drive back the Houthis and restore the government.
• The UN, United States and Gulf nation diplomats have been trying to broker a peace deal in the war torn nation for years now.
• Several ceasefire agreements over the years have seen no impact on reducing the military action on the ground.

What’s the new deal?

• The two-month peace deal, announced at the peace talks hosted in Riyadh, calls for immediate halt of all ground, air and sea fighting from both sides.
• Saudi Arabia had hosted hundreds of Yemenis representing various political groups at the end of March in hope of brokering peace in the nation.
• Under the deal, commercial flights will now be able to operate from the Houthi-held capital of Sanaa, fuel ships will be allowed to pass into the port of al-Hudaydah.

• Roads into the besieged south-western city of Taiz would also be opened.
• More talks on reopening roads elsewhere to allow Yemenis the freedom to travel in the country are in the agreement.
• The discussion on swapping prisoners on both sides is also on the table.
• The time period of the peace deal can be extended with both parties’ consent.
• According to US Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking, the deal is a culmination of stepped up and relatively aggressive US diplomacy, Along with the Houthis’ realisation that the war was resulting in no major dominant winner.
• “If the international community and parties can work together, this could be built into a lasting ceasefire and inclusive political process that ultimately gives shape to a new Yemen,” Lenderking said in an interview to Reuters.

President stepped down

• Soon after the deal was announced, Yemen’s exiled President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi stepped down from his position and passed on power to a presidential council.
• The council will run the government and lead all conflict resolution efforts including talks with Houthi rebels in what he called the “transitional period” of the country.

What Houthi rebels said?

• The Houthi-led rebels refused to participate in peace talks hosted by Saudi Arabia, arguing that the venue should be a neutral country and not one of the adversaries of war.
• Despite this, Mohammed Abdel-Salam, the spokesman and chief negotiator of the Houthis welcomed the truce in a Twitter post.
• Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, a senior Houthi official, said the deal’s credibility will be its implementation.

Economic aid to Yemen

• Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates have shown full support for it, welcoming the transition in the country.
• The two countries have promised a new financial aid of $3 billion.
• Out of this, $2 billion will be injected into the Central Bank of Yemen, while the rest will be used for developmental projects.
• Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Mohammed bin Salman even met with the new presidential council’s members.

India’s stance

• India has welcomed the truce deal and expressed hope that it will help in building a positive momentum towards an inclusive political process to end the civil war in Yemen.
• External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India has historical and friendly ties with Yemen and hopes for peace, security and prosperity for the people of the country as well as the region.

Q) Which among the following is not part of G7?

1. Japan
2. Italy
3. France
4. China

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