Yemen Monitor / Newsroom:
Yemeni Foreign Minister Shay’e Al-Zindani confirmed that the peace process in Yemen is facing obstacles due to the actions of the Houthis and the impact of international developments.
In an interview with Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed newspaper, he stated that the Yemeni government still hopes for a negotiated settlement but will resort to military action if forced to do so.
Al-Zindani explained that the UN roadmap, which was supposed to be signed in December 2023, was negatively affected by Houthi attacks on Al-Dhaba port, their escalation in the Red Sea, and the U.S. designation of the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization.
He pointed out that these developments have impacted the mediation efforts led by Saudi Arabia and Oman.
Despite this, Al-Zindani expressed hopes of reviving the plan, emphasizing that peace remains the primary option for the Yemeni government. However, he stressed that the success of any political process depends on the Houthis’ willingness to accept a political solution and abandon their weapons. He also mentioned ongoing communication with the U.S. administration, the EU, the UK, and the coalition countries, while acknowledging differences in their positions regarding the Houthis.
Al-Zindani highlighted that negotiations with the Houthis have effectively been stalled, with the last round of direct talks taking place in Kuwait in 2016. Regarding U.S. sanctions on Houthi leaders, he stated that these do not impact negotiations, as no real negotiations are currently taking place. He added that the sanctions specifically target individuals whom the U.S. believes are involved in Red Sea escalations and the continuation of the war.
Al-Zindani concluded by reaffirming that while the Yemeni government seeks peace, it is not the only option. If the Houthis refuse a political settlement, all other options remain on the table.
