In an effort to prevent the threat of coronavirus, the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen called for a ceasefire with the Houthi rebels, to start on 9th April 2020. 

Yemen is an impoverished country, currently suffering from mass hunger and a cholera outbreak. It was reported that 30 million civilians have lost half of their healthcare since military intervention, increasing Yemen’s sensitivity to the virus. 

Consequently, following advice from United Nations officials, the Yemeni government declared a ceasefire to mitigate the spread of the pandemic. Colonel Turki al-Malki, the spokesman for coalition forces in support of legitimacy in Yemen, stated that “the coalition will seize this opportunity to unite all efforts to reach a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire in Yemen, and agree on serious, concrete and direct steps to alleviate the suffering of the brotherly Yemeni people and maintain their health and safety”. Although the Houthi movement welcomed such an agreement, they also suspected that it was a “political and media manoeuvre”. Nonetheless, it took effect on 9th April 2020 and was deemed a push towards an end of the civil war.

HOUTHI ARMED FORCES CONTINUED FIGHTING 

The first case of coronavirus was recorded on the 10th April 2020. This made “it more imperative to stop the fighting immediately”, according to UN special envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths. Due to the inadequacy of national healthcare, weakened by years of war, it has been estimated that the virus could infect 93% of the Yemeni population.  

Despite this, the fighting in Yemen escalated as the Houthi’s took full advantage of the Yemeni government’s steps towards peace. As of 14th April 2020, there had been 241 breaches in 48 hours, with the use of control and weaponry. A breach of this extent was described as “evading the true national vision” by Yasser Al-Houri, Secretary of the Houthi’s Political Council. It will undoubtedly escalate the fighting between warring oppositions. 

IS AN AGREEMENT AROUND THE CORNER? 

The necessity of this peace deal partially stemmed from the UN running out of money for its humanitarian work. The pandemic has stretched UN supplies, and 31 major programs will start closing in the next few weeks should they fail to secure additional funds. This will further restrict Yemeni people from receiving international support to combat Covid-19, with at least 1 million people not receiving critical supplies. 

With support from the UN, the Saudi-led coalition is currently attempting to negotiate with the Houthis to allow for a new Peace Deal, including a nationwide ceasefire which could stop the spread of coronavirus. Martin Griffiths exclaimed that the government is “redoubling our efforts to bridge the outstanding differences between the parties”. A bilateral agreement on ceasefire could give rise to peace-talks, actions to develop the economy and mitigate the suffering of the Yemeni people. The agreement will focus on economic and humanitarian matters, including the release of prisoners and detainees, the payment of civil servant salaries and guarantees of access at Hodeidah ports for ships carrying supplies to combat coronavirus. 

The UN is hoping that diplomacy can bring an end to the conflict, allowing focus to move towards fighting the virus. “The virus does not care about nationality of ethnicity, faction, or faith”, said Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the UN, “it attacks all relentlessly”. 

Anjni is currently studying the LPC and MSc in Law, Business and Management at The University of Law, Moorgate. She graduated from the University of Leicester. She has a strong passion for making a change and believes that informing people about the world is the first step towards this!