Yemen’s vice president lashes out at Houthis

Khalid Bahah accused the rebels of derailing efforts to end the country's war, and said his government was seeking peace.

A young Houthi fighter mans a heavy calibre machine gun at a checkpoint in Sanaa on October 6, 2015. Yahya Arhab

RIYADH // Yemen’s vice president lashed out at the country’s Houthi rebels on Wednesday, accusing them of derailing peace efforts and prolonging the war.

During a meeting in Riyadh with the US ambassador to Yemen, Matthew Tueller, Khalid Bahah said his government was seeking peace and wanted to avoid any more fighting, reported Wam, the UAE’s state news agency.

He said the government welcomed any dialogue that guarantees the implementation of UN security council resolution 2216, which reaffirms support for the internationally recognised government of Yemeni president Abdrabu Mansur Hadi, and demands that all other parties, including the Houthis, withdraw from areas they have seized.

Mr Bahah and Mr Tueller discussed how their two countries could work together to restore stability to all Yemeni cities and provinces, the Saudi Press Agency quoted the government-run Yemeni News Agency as saying.

President Hadi also met with Mr Tueller on Wednesday and discussed a number of topics of interest to both countries, including the peacebuilding efforts of UN envoy to Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, Wam said.

The UAE is working with Mr Hadi’s government to reconstruct the liberated province of Aden and surrounding areas damaged by fighting.

Mr Tueller affirmed his country’s support for the security, stability and unity of Yemen, and the legitimate authority of Mr Hadi, Wam said. He also commended the Yemeni government’s humanitarian and relief work in the country, despite the ongoing conflict.

On the ground in Yemen, the conflict continued to rage on Wednesday, hampering the relief response to Cyclone Chapala – the most intense storm to hit the country in decades.

Saudi-owned television channel Ekhbariya reported that the Saudi Arabia-led coalition had conducted air strikes on seven Houthi-run provinces the previous day.

Meanwhile, unknown assailants killed two people at a checkpoint in the Houthi-held capital, Sanaa, security sources said.

* With additional reporting by Reuters