Drawing Tactics from Kuwait Negotiation, Houthis Set to Thwart...

Drawing Tactics from Kuwait Negotiation, Houthis Set to Thwart UN Envoy Talks Initiative
Thursday, 17 May, 2018 - 09:15
The UN envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths,Reuters
Riyadh – Nayef Al-Rasheed
Houthi militias are set to practice the exact approach they used during Kuwait’s 2016 negotiations in upcoming talks, a senior Yemeni government official said.
UN envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths has recently announced the deadline on the roadmap for peace negotiations. But Houthis are searching for an escape for them to remain in the country’s political scene despite their ongoing battleground defeats and deeply-anchored involvement with militias compensating largely on their political leverage.
Houthis are now seen as an armed and political movement, following in Lebanon’s ‘Hezbollah’ footsteps. Both Houthis and Hezbollah receive and follow Iranian aid and agendas.
Commenting on a statement issued by UN Special Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths, the source told Asharq Al-Awsat that some of observations made by the UN official can set the Yemeni crisis back milestones.
The government official, who requested anonymity, said that Houthi up-to-date behavior does not show any readiness for peace and that the coup is hell bent on dominating the national scene, and shows no signs of seeking coexistence or settlement.
“They (coupists) have shown more readiness for war more than peace,” said the official when recalling how Houthis treated the General People's Congress departure from a civil coup it led with the Houthis against the internationally-recognized government.
Houthis killed their onetime ally GPC leader Ali Abdullah Saleh, also the country’s former president, as they gained the upper hand in fighting with his forces for control of the capital, Sanaa.
Saleh’s defection from the coupist camp was one of the main reasons he was slain. Days prior to his death, Saleh was negotiating a settlement with the Aden-based government, which is supported by a Saudi-led Arab coalition and the international community.
More so, Houthis persistently launch ballistic missiles on Saudi Arabia, clearly stating an unwavering desire to uphold the current status and prolong war in Yemen.
Griffith's statement set the date for the launch of a "framework" for his plan mid-month ahead of the launch of peace negotiations.
However, he expressed his regret over the military escalation and the danger it poses to the political peace process.
Despite insisting on visiting Sana'a, the Houthi stronghold, coupists chose to postpone Griffiths’ visit.
Houthi leaders not sitting with the UN envoy suggests deep rifts within the insurgency bloc-- the political and military wings have conflicting views on what could settle the war in Yemen.