Moscow expressed deep concern with the recent escalation of hostilities in Yemen and called on all the parties involved in the conflict to return to the negotiating table under the UN auspices, according to official statement of the Russian Foreign Ministry.
MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Moscow is seriously concerned with the situation in Yemen and calls on the parties to the conflict to return to the negotiating table, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Saturday.
The UN-brokered talks to end the Yemeni conflict started in Kuwait on April 21. The talks ended in early August, with the government and Houthi rebels failing to come to an agreement. According to UN Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, the parties are expected to return to the negotiating table no sooner than in a month. Following the failed talks, hostilities intensified in the country, with the Houthi rebels aiming to create their own government.
“During the lengthy conversation, the current military, political and humanitarian situation in Yemen has been discussed in detail, with emphasis on the need for a speedy and peaceful solution to the crisis in the country. At the same time, the Russian side expressed deep concern with the recent escalation of hostilities in Yemen and called on all the parties involved in the conflict to return to the negotiating table under the UN auspices,” the ministry said in a statement, issued after the talks between Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov and Yemeni Foreign Minister Abdel Malek Mekhlafi.
The two sides also discussed the issue of urgently countering terrorist groups in Yemen, as well as addressing social, economic and humanitarian environment in the conflict-torn country, according to the statement.
The sides agreed to continue active Russian-Yemeni political and diplomatic contacts in a view of the “traditionally friendly relations” between the two countries.
Yemen has been engulfed in a military conflict between the government headed by Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and Houthi rebels, the country’s main opposition force. The Houthis are backed by army units loyal to former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
Since March 2015, the Saudi-led coalition of mostly Persian Gulf countries have been carrying out airstrikes against the Houthis at Hadi’s request despite a ceasefire agreed shortly before.
