Yemen’s Ansarullah ‘optimistic’ about success of Omani mediation in Saudi peace talks

Yemen’s Ansarullah resistance movement has expressed optimism about the success of Oman’s mediation in resolving differences between Sana’a and Riyadh, calling on Saudi Arabia to take practical steps towards restoration of peace after eight years of war.

Ali al-Qahoum, a member of Ansarullah’s political bureau, made the statement in an interview with Lebanon’s al-Akhbar newspaper on Wednesday as he pointed to the peace efforts in Yemen since a shaky ceasefire agreement took force one and a half years ago.

“We are still optimistic about the success of the Omani mediation and [coming to] an understanding with Saudi Arabia,” Qahoum said.

“We advise Riyadh to proceed with the implementation of the peace steps, get out of the American and Western mantle [of support], and break the restrictions that impede the achievement of peace in Yemen as this represents a mutual interest for the two countries in view of the changes and the new realities of Yemen,” he added.

The Ansarullah official said instead of aggression and war, the most effective way to reach a sustainable peace that benefits everyone is to take into account the neighborly ties and interests and improve the equal relations between the two countries.

Qahoum warned about the repercussions of Saudi Arabia’s continued aggression, blockade and the slowdown in implementing humanitarian measures, stressing that the military equation in Yemen has changed dramatically after eight years of war.

“The countries of the coalition of aggression must realize that the security and stability of Yemen is part of the security and stability of the region,” he said.

Qahoum stressed that an end to foreign interference and colonial domination, withdrawal of foreign forces, reconstruction and reparations to victims are the demands of all the Yemeni people.

Asked about the current status of the western Yemeni port of Hudaydah and Sana’a airport, the member of Ansarullah’s political bureau said the two crucial sites are still under siege.

“The issue of partial entry of some ships into the port of Hudaydah , and a small number of flights to and from Sana’a airport, do not meet the needs of the Yemeni people,” Qahoum said.

“These are the rights of the Yemeni people … all the Yemeni people benefit from them, and they are among the basics on which the truce, de-escalation and humanitarian files were built,” he added.