Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Coalition countries showed their commitment to humanitarian truce in Yemen based on their desire to help the brotherly Yemeni people and alleviate their suffering, but Houthis and their allied militias have been constantly violating the ceasefire, Minister of Foreign Affairs Adel Al-Jubeir said here on Monday. He said the coalition exerted strenuous efforts to deliver aid in a record time by air and sea and show cooperation with all international relief organizations, but it failed to achieve the goals set for the truce because of the violations by Houthis and their allies who seized foodstuff, medicines and fuel, and prevented these items from reaching their final destination. Jubeir cited as many as 39 hostile actions by the Houthis and their allies in Jazan region, 35 attacks in Najran region, and the movement of missile launchers along the Saudi border to threaten the Kingdom's territories. He said the violations included the continued military operations and the redeployment of rebel forces and attacks on the provinces and cities of Yemen, including Taiz and Dhali as well as the complete occupation of the village of Lauder, where normal life has been thrown into chaos. The foreign minister stressed that the commitment of the coalition countries to the provisions of truce depends on the other party's respect. He added that the coalition will respond forcefully if violations persist and if the humanitarian aid is blocked. In Seoul, US Secretary of State John Kerry said on Monday Washington supported extending a “humanitarian pause” in the fighting in Yemen, but that maneuvers by Houthi fighters made that difficult. “We know that the Houthis were engaged in moving some missile-launching capacity to the border and under the rules of engagement, it was always understood that if there were proactive moves by one side or another, then that would be in violation of the ceasefire agreement,” Kerry told reporters in the South Korean capital. “Saudi Arabia, under the rules of engagement, took action. We continue to support the idea of extending the humanitarian pause, but I think under the circumstances at the moment that would be difficult.” Since Tuesday, Saudi-led forces and the Houthi militias had largely observed the ceasefire meant to allow delivery of food, fuel and medical suppliaes to millions of Yemenis caught in the conflict since the alliance began air strikes on March 26. The United Nations special envoy to Yemen Isamil Ould Cheikh Ahmed had called on Sunday for the five-day ceasefire to be extended. — Agencies
