Alimi: Any Peace with Houthis Without Guarantees Will Renew Violence

SadaNews - The Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad Alimi, stated yesterday (Tuesday) that any peace with the Houthi group without executable guarantees will lead to a resurgence of violence, noting that the Yemeni people aspire for a sustainable long-term peace that "does not bypass the state or reproduce violence anew".

During his meeting in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, with a delegation from the European Institute of Peace, he emphasized that "the Houthi group is not a party to the conflict, but rather a closed ideological group whose project is based on discrimination, the divine right to rule, and the denial of equal citizenship".

He clarified that "the required guarantees are the dismantling of the military and ideological structure of the militia," referring to the Houthi group, "criminalizing sectarianism and racism in the constitution and law, preventing the legitimization of the status quo by force, and supporting state institutions economically and security-wise".

He added that "the European experience taught us that peace which bypasses the state is merely a temporary truce, and that all peace attempts that ignore this fact end with a recreation of war".

In contrast, no immediate comment has been issued from the Houthis regarding Alimi's statements.

Alimi also met with Jonathan Pecha, the Chargé d'Affaires of the US Embassy in Yemen, and praised "the historical partnership with the United States, its leadership role in supporting legitimacy, counter-terrorism efforts, and safeguarding regional and international security," according to Saba News Agency.

He expressed his appreciation for "Washington's firm stance towards the Houthi militia and its maximum pressure on the Iranian regime, considering it part of protecting the international rules-based system".

The Chairman of the Leadership Council reiterated the council and government’s commitment to "a just and lasting peace that ends the war and does not legitimize arms outside the state".

For his part, the UN special envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, called in a statement for renewed efforts to advance a comprehensive political process led by Yemenis, noting that he would continue his engagement with Yemeni and regional parties to support efforts to enhance dialogue and de-escalate tensions.

The United Nations previously announced in December 2023 the commitment of the government and the Houthi group to a package of measures under a roadmap, including a comprehensive ceasefire and improving the living conditions of citizens, paving the way for ending the war between the two sides that has been ongoing since 2014, during which the Houthis seized provinces and cities, including the capital, Sanaa.

Although Yemen is experiencing a lull since April 2022, the roadmap has not been implemented to this day, amidst mutual accusations between the government and the Houthis for the lack of progress in this path.

Source: Agencies