Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Zayani, Arabi Head to Kuwait for Yemeni Peace Talks | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Supporters of the Houthi rebel movement at a rally to protest a military offensive by the Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s ousted president, Aug. 24, 2015, in Sanaa.Mohammed Huwais / AFP / Getty Images


Cairo and Jeddah –Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary General Abdul Latif Zayani will reach Kuwait in the upcoming 24 hours to help expedite the inter-Yemeni peace talks, according to Yemeni and Gulf sources.

Peace talks were recently hindered due to insurgency delegation’s insistence on rejecting any suggestions offered for a political settlement. In addition, the insurgents refuse to submit their weapons before forming a partnership government.

Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper learned that many international and regional parties are exerting their efforts to support U.N. Special Envoy to Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed.

Sources revealed that Omani diplomats have met with both delegations to support Ould Cheikh’s roadmap and solution.

According to the sources, Arab League Secretary General Nabil al-Arabi will also head to Kuwait and meet with both delegations.

In addition, a number of foreign ambassadors and diplomats are meeting with the delegations; U.S. Ambassador to Yemen Matthew Tyler met with the government delegation on Monday.

A high ranking military source revealed that Houthis and their ally former President Ali Saleh destroyed records and classified information of the National Armed Forces at the headquarters in Sanaa.

According to the source, militias distributed thousands of applications at the National Army in an attempt to enroll their members.

Militias are trying to get over with the hiring process before any progress in peace talks in Kuwait is achieved so that they can position their own military leaders in important posts, given that these leaders are not well-known among the legitimate government.

Deputy Chief of Staff General Naser al-Tahiri told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that destroying records of armed forces is a criminal act and will definitely create problems.

Tahiri explained that by doing so, Houthis can include whoever they want in the army and as much as they need thus creating an issue of confirming the records that have been deleted.

Yet, Tahiri assured that the military command was aware of this risk, and has copied and transferred many of the records of the Ministry of Defense in different districts. He added that the information is saved on CD ROMs in secure places.

Tahiri believes that following tampering with records of Ministry of Justice, Houthis will publically try to negotiate the enrollment of thousands of Houthi members in the army similar to those registered by the military command.

Concerning the peace talks in Kuwait, Tahiri confessed that these talks have no hope amid Houthis’ insistence and blatant rejection of any U.N. resolution or any other initiative. He added that this confirms that this group only understands the language of war.

He explained that Houthis have the ability to extend the negotiations without reaching any solution given their history in rejecting peaceful solutions and their inability to maintain stability and security.

Tahiri explained that the only solution to eradicate this insurgency is through military battles especially that the army was able to advance on several locations.

In addition, Tahiri confirmed that the legitimate forces will not enter or attack the secretariat in Sanaa. He explained that a special force will enter the capital and the armed forces won’t be on the frontlines.

Whereas speaker at the main mosque in Dhamar, Houthis loyalists’ area, asked the citizens to pay Khums to Houthis. To people who barely have enough for their daily lives, paying Khums will be a load and such procedures are making people leave their neighborhoods.