AFP/Riyadh
Saudi Arabia is considering temporary halts in coalition air strikes against rebels in Yemen to allow for aid deliveries, Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said yesterday.
The announcement came as clashes raged in southern Yemen between rebels and fighters allied with exiled President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, killing at least 30 people.
The kingdom will consult members of the coalition on “finding specific areas inside Yemen... where all air operations will be paused at specific times to allow for the delivery of aid”, Jubeir said in a statement.
The Saudi-led coalition of Arab countries launched air strikes in Yemen in late March against Iran-backed Houthi rebels and their allies after they seized control of large parts of the country including the capital Sanaa.
Hadi fled Yemen as the rebels advanced on his southern refuge of Aden, and anti-government forces have refused to concede territory or down arms despite international pressure.
The United Nations has repeatedly warned that impoverished Yemen faces a major humanitarian crisis and calls have been growing for efforts to increase aid deliveries.
Jubeir said Saudi Arabia “plans to establish a centre on its territory to be in charge of co-ordinating all humanitarian aid efforts” with the UN, donors and other relevant agencies.
He warned the rebels against “taking advantage” of any pause in the bombing.
Saudi Arabia “will deal with any violations in connection with the suspension of air strikes or movements that hinder humanitarian efforts”, he said.
The United Nations has called for a humanitarian pause in the conflict, as relief agencies say they desperately need supplies, including fuel to run infrastructure such as hospitals.
It warned that key infrastructure in the war-torn country, including water supplies, health services and telecommunications, is on the verge of breaking down due to a major fuel shortage.
UN humanitarian co-ordinator for Yemen Johannes van der Klaauw said on Saturday that an arms embargo was affecting delivery of supplies, urging a humanitarian pause “at least for a couple of days”.
Russia proposed last week a draft statement at the UN Security Council calling for an immediate ceasefire or at least humanitarian pauses, and an urgent return to political negotiations, but it failed to win endorsement.
