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Yemen conflict: Houthi rebels commit to UN peace plan | Yemen conflict: Houthi rebels commit to UN peace plan |
(about 11 hours later) | |
Yemen's Houthi rebels have confirmed in writing to the UN secretary general their commitment to UN resolutions aimed at ending the country's conflict. | Yemen's Houthi rebels have confirmed in writing to the UN secretary general their commitment to UN resolutions aimed at ending the country's conflict. |
In a letter obtained by the BBC, Houthi representatives pledge to adhere to a seven-point peace plan brokered by the UN during talks in Muscat, Oman. | In a letter obtained by the BBC, Houthi representatives pledge to adhere to a seven-point peace plan brokered by the UN during talks in Muscat, Oman. |
The letter follows a verbal commitment to the resolutions issued last month. | The letter follows a verbal commitment to the resolutions issued last month. |
The UN estimates nearly 4,900 people, including 2,355 civilians, have been killed in the conflict in Yemen. | The UN estimates nearly 4,900 people, including 2,355 civilians, have been killed in the conflict in Yemen. |
Addressed to Ban Ki Moon, the letter commits to the seven Muscat principles, which include a ceasefire, the removal of armed militias from the cities and the return of the government to the capital, Sanaa. | Addressed to Ban Ki Moon, the letter commits to the seven Muscat principles, which include a ceasefire, the removal of armed militias from the cities and the return of the government to the capital, Sanaa. |
Yemen's President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi has insisted Houthi fighters pull back from territory seized over the past year before an agreement can be reached. | Yemen's President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi has insisted Houthi fighters pull back from territory seized over the past year before an agreement can be reached. |
'Fundamental step' | 'Fundamental step' |
In the letter, the Houthi representatives, known officially as Ansar Allah, call the peace plan an "important and fundamental ... step towards the resumption of the political process". | In the letter, the Houthi representatives, known officially as Ansar Allah, call the peace plan an "important and fundamental ... step towards the resumption of the political process". |
"We, from our side along with other parties, commit to these seven points as one unified bundle," it says, adding: "We welcome the UN call for all sides to return to the table of dialogue." | "We, from our side along with other parties, commit to these seven points as one unified bundle," it says, adding: "We welcome the UN call for all sides to return to the table of dialogue." |
The letter criticises the government, alleging it has "not shown any positive reciprocity" with the UN peace process. | The letter criticises the government, alleging it has "not shown any positive reciprocity" with the UN peace process. |
Analysis: Lyse Doucet, BBC chief international correspondent | Analysis: Lyse Doucet, BBC chief international correspondent |
There are many reasons to be sceptical of any moves, by any side, in Yemen's tortuous conflict. But this written commitment by the Houthis could be a significant step. | There are many reasons to be sceptical of any moves, by any side, in Yemen's tortuous conflict. But this written commitment by the Houthis could be a significant step. |
Yemen's embattled negotiating process, which draws in the UN, EU, as well as Western and regional players, is a new challenge for what was a movement rooted in the tribes of northern Yemen. | Yemen's embattled negotiating process, which draws in the UN, EU, as well as Western and regional players, is a new challenge for what was a movement rooted in the tribes of northern Yemen. |
One source told me this letter addressed to the UN secretary general was "a signal to the rest of the world". Even the decision to send a copy to the BBC represents rare outreach to a Western audience. | One source told me this letter addressed to the UN secretary general was "a signal to the rest of the world". Even the decision to send a copy to the BBC represents rare outreach to a Western audience. |
The real test now is to implement the Muscat plan: which armed groups will withdraw from the cities, which government members will return? But if, at the very least, a ceasefire is reached that will be a major step for Yemenis enduring what the UN calls "terrifying violence and extreme hunger". | The real test now is to implement the Muscat plan: which armed groups will withdraw from the cities, which government members will return? But if, at the very least, a ceasefire is reached that will be a major step for Yemenis enduring what the UN calls "terrifying violence and extreme hunger". |
The conflict, and peace process, is complicated by the involvement of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which are fighting alongside government forces. | The conflict, and peace process, is complicated by the involvement of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, which are fighting alongside government forces. |
Separately on Tuesday, attacks in Aden on a hotel used by Yemen's prime minister and two military installations killed 15 Saudi-led coalition troops and pro-government fighters, Emirati state media say. | Separately on Tuesday, attacks in Aden on a hotel used by Yemen's prime minister and two military installations killed 15 Saudi-led coalition troops and pro-government fighters, Emirati state media say. |
Explosions rocked the Qasr hotel, the headquarters of the UAE's forces in the city and a camp early on Tuesday. Prime Minister Khaled Bahah and members of his government escaped unharmed. | Explosions rocked the Qasr hotel, the headquarters of the UAE's forces in the city and a camp early on Tuesday. Prime Minister Khaled Bahah and members of his government escaped unharmed. |
The UAE blamed rocket-fire from Houthi rebels, but Islamic State (IS) said suicide bombers were responsible. | The UAE blamed rocket-fire from Houthi rebels, but Islamic State (IS) said suicide bombers were responsible. |
Jihadist militants have reportedly been seen on the streets of Aden since southern militiamen backed by coalition forces drove the Houthis out of the city in July. | Jihadist militants have reportedly been seen on the streets of Aden since southern militiamen backed by coalition forces drove the Houthis out of the city in July. |
As well as those killed, nearly 1.5 million people have been displaced by the conflict, according to UN estimates, with about 13 million people facing food shortages and 80% of the population need some form of aid. | As well as those killed, nearly 1.5 million people have been displaced by the conflict, according to UN estimates, with about 13 million people facing food shortages and 80% of the population need some form of aid. |
Why is there fighting in Yemen? | Why is there fighting in Yemen? |
The war the world forgot? | The war the world forgot? |
Yemen's humanitarian catastrophe | Yemen's humanitarian catastrophe |
Who is fighting whom? | Who is fighting whom? |
Meeting the Houthis and their enemies | Meeting the Houthis and their enemies |