Taiz: Removal of barriers, debris and trees, and demining in preparation for the “opening of the road”

Yemen Monitor/News Room

Today, Saturday, government agencies in the Yemeni city of Taiz began removing earthen barriers, debris and trees in preparation for the “opening of the road” that the Houthis announced would open after months of the Yemeni government’s initiative to open it unilaterally.

Yemen Monitor correspondent said that “government agencies began removing debris and securing the road leading to Al-Qasr roundabout- Al-Hoban by the local authority in Taiz, while eyewitnesses said that the Houthi team began removing the mines that it had previously planted.”

Activists circulated pictures of a demining team surveying the area to the utmost limit near the first barrier with the Houthis towards Al-Hoban area.

They also circulated a picture of the front lines on Al-Qasr Roundabout – Al-Kemp road, showing the area of control of the Yemeni government, and on the other side the area of control of the group, as the demining teams on both sides surveying.

For its part, the government committee to negotiate the opening of roads in Taiz announced that the roads leading to the city of Taiz are fully open and held the Houthis responsible for any obstacles.

The committee welcomed, in a statement, the Houthis’ compliance and their announcement to open Al-Hoban – Al-Qasr Roundabout – Al-Kemp road, which is one of the roads that the committee has demanded to be opened for eight years, according to the statement.

The committee also announced that  Al-Sitteen – Al-Hajjala – Souq Osaifara road is open from the government side, hoping that the other party will allow trucks and heavy equipment to pass through this road.

It also called for the opening of all main roads leading to the city of Taiz, and the commitment of the Houthi side to credibility, and to the logistical arrangements necessary to preserve the safety of citizens, and to begin removing barriers and mine networks from all roads.

It praised the role of the popular incubator of the people of Taiz, men, women and children; for their tolerance of suffering to this day.

The statement continued: “We hope that it will be crowned with the opening of the first road from Al-Hoban to the city, and this is what we have been following up on for years, and with the support of the political leadership.”

The head of the negotiating delegation, Abdul Karim Shaiban, confirmed in a press conference held on Al-Kemp -Al-Qasr Roundabout road from the side of the legitimacy government, that opening the road is one of the demands of the people of Taiz to alleviate the siege that has been imposed on them for years.

He pointed out that the committee is ready to receive citizens from today, Saturday, stressing that the Houthis are responsible for any consequences as a result of the mines and explosive devices that it has planted.

Shaiban explained that the roads from the side of legitimacy government are open and ready for people to pass through, and there are no mines or barriers.

In a related context, the local authority in Taiz confirmed its support for all efforts aimed at opening roads and crossings in the city besieged by the Houthis.

The First Undersecretary of Taiz Governorate, Dr. Abdul Qawi Al-Makhlafi, stressed the rejection of any attempts to circumvent this humanitarian issue, through partial measures that do not lead to lifting the siege and opening the main roads and ending the suffering of millions in the city .