Yemen talks have entered a fourth day in Switzerland under UN sponsorship. Discussions remain in a standing loop regarding proposed files, given that the insurgents’ mission does not present any leniency toward the Yemeni cause.

Sources close to the consultations, taking place away from the media in a suburb resort of the city of Geneva, informed Asharq Al-Awsat that on Thursday the Houthi envoy and followers of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh have been put under great pressure by UN mediator Ismail Ould Cheikh along with his collaborating team and western diplomats who continue to keep a close eye on the negotiations, aiming to present final stances regarding the causes discussed over the past two days.

Sources revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat that the negotiations were halted by trust building procedures between the two parties, and that the insurgents still refused to release those detained and free the province of Taiz.

They also added that the only progress achieved was the rebels promising to give allow “relief” on the blockade in Taiz, indicating they were not willing to completely lift it. According to sources the rebels partially committed to allowing humanitarian relief to enter the province of Taiz, a commitment that came with a series of blusters over humanitarian aid access, such as directly supervising the distribution of aid, which was frowned upon by all parties.
The second Geneva talks on Thursday also witnessed the absence, dispute and complaints of participating parties, which had been foreseen.

Other diplomatic sources also told Asharq Al-Awsat that “Hameed Assem, both Houthi and Ali Abdullah Saleh representative envoy member, remained absent during the whole Thursday preferring to stay in his room and shutting the door, and not going out to participate in the sessions,” the Houthi envoy member announced to everyone on Thursday that despite his arrival with the Houthi envoy, he himself was never a Houthi, he criticized the action of the head envoy for not giving him a chance to speak