While the Sweden-based Yemen talks are over, consultations have
continued among the various combatants. These have resulted in another
deal, with the warring parties agreeing to reopen Kilo 16, the main road connecting Hodeidah and Taiz to the capital city of Sanaa.
This is a huge move for civilians, allowing them to travel out of combat
zones to safer places, and also allowing for humanitarian aid shipments
out of the aid port of Hodeidah to those other cities.
Dutch Gen. Patrick Cammaert, the head of the UN monitor group, suggested
that Hodeidah should be used as the port of entry for all aid into
Yemen. That’s likely going to be a tough sell, with neither side having
withdrawn from the surrounding area of the city.
The deal from just over a week ago would have both sides withdraw from
the city and surrounding area within 30 days. Neither side has really
done that since, with both blaming the other for ceasefire violations,
and staying on a war footing.
Yemen Parties Agree to Reopen Main Road Between Sanaa, Hodeidah, and Taiz
Ongoing talks yield another deal, allowing travel between major cities
Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.
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